THE GENERAL
BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY ;
CONTAINING
AN HISTORICAL AND CRITICAL ACCOUNT
OF THE
LIVES AND WRITINGS
OF THE
MOST EMINENT PERSONS
IN EVERY NATION;
PARTICULARLY THE BRITISH AND IRISH;
FROM THE EARLIEST ACCOUNTS TO THE PRESENT TIME.
A NEW EDITION,
REVISED AND ENLARGED BY
ALEXANDER CHALMERS, F. S. A.
VOL. XII.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR J. NICHOLS AND SON ; F. C. AND J. KIVINGTON ; T. PAYNE ;
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), JOHNSON AND CO. ; E. BENTLEY J AND J. FAULDER.
1813.
I OK
v,
LI
74254*
OF -
A NEW AND GENERAL
BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY.
JLJESSAIX (Louis CHARLES ANTHONY), a brave French
general in the revolutionary war, was born August 17,
1768, at Ayat, in the department of Puy-de-Dome. He
was educated at the military school of Effiat, and when
the revolution broke out, refused all advice to emigrate,
although his principles were inclined to royalty. He re-
mained at his studies, a stranger to the excesses of the
factions, and a stranger even to the names by which they
were designated. Absorbed in his profession, his thoughts
were occupied solely by military manoeuvres, traits of he-
roism, and fields of battle. He first entered the foot re-
giment of Britany, as sub-lieutenant, in 1784 ; but in
1792, he appeared so intelligent and active, that he be-
came successively aide-de-camp to generals Broglio and
Custine. The services \vhich were derived from his pre-
sence of mind and his counsels, on occasion of the reverses
experienced at the lines of Weissembourg, induced the
national commissaries to raise him to the rank of general
of brigade. In spite of his merit, however, the committee
of public safety twice made an order for him to be de-
prived of his command, with which the general in chief
constantly refused to comply. He was wholly ignorant of
this fact till a third order arrived to the same effect, at the
moment when he had gained the admiration of his com-
rades at the blockade of Landau ; and the whole army op-
posed the unjust decree, which induced the commissary to
disregard it. Dessaix commanded the left wing of the
o . o
army in the memorable retreat of general Moreau, and had
VOL. XII. B
2 D E S S A I X.
his full share in the dangers and laurels of that campaign.
He returned to defend Kehl for four months against the
whole force of the archduke ; and under him the army ef-
fected the passage of the Rhine, in circumstances which
rendered it as daring an achievement as was ever at-
tempted.
After the treaty of Campo Formio, he followed Buona-
parte into Egypt, and was by him presented with a short
sword, superbly wrought, on which were inscribed the
wofds " The taking of Malta ; the battle of Chebreis, the
battle of the Pyramids." He was charged to reduce
Upper Egypt, whither the Mamelukes had retired ; here
he gained several victories; and he acquired a distinction
more honourable than the triumph of arms, for the inha-
bitants gave him the title of " The Just Sultan." Re-
turning from Egypt in consequence of the treaty of El
Arisch, he was detained by lord Keith, but was at length
set at liberty. He then repaired to his native country,
from which he again, with the utmost expedition, joined
Buonaparte, and arrived just in time to be present at the
battle of Marengo, the fate of which he turned, and in
which he fell, June 14, 1800, esteemed by the French
soldiers, honoured by the Austrians, and loved by all who
knew him.
His body was carried to Milan, embalmed there, and
placed in the hospital of Mount St. Bernard, where a mo-
nument has been erected to his memory. Dessaix united
to bravery the most unimpeachable probity, and in all re-
spects seems to have deserved of his country the additional
tribute of a superb monument since erected at Paris. On
this is commemorated the share he had in the battles of
Landau, Kehl, Weissembourg, Malta, Chebreis, the Py-
ramids, Sediman, Sammanhout, Kene, Thebes, and Ma-
rengo. 1
DESSENIUS (BERNARD), an eminent physician, born
at Amsterdam in 1510, was sent first to Lou vain, where
he soon distinguished himself by his acquirements in clas-
sical literature. Declaring at length for the practice of
medicine, he went to Bologna, in Italy, and in 1538 he
took his degree of doctor in that faculty. A vacancy hap-
pening soon after at Groningen, he accepted the office of
1 Diet. Hist.— Hist, of the French Revolution, quoted in the Month. Rev.
vol. XLV. N. S.
DESSEN1US. 3
professor of the practice of medicine, which he taught with
reputation for nine years. From thence, invited by Ech-
tius, professor in medicine there, he went to Cologne,
where he was admitted member of the college of physi-
cians, and received a considerable pension from the go-
vernment. This he retained to the time of his death, in
1574. He was author of several useful works. His " De
Compositione Medicamentorum," 1555, fol. contains many
valuable observations and improvements on the formulae
used in his time. " De Peste, commentarius, preservatio,
et curatio," Col. 1564, 4to. He speaks of a leathern,
jacket, which had passed into the hands of twenty-five
persons, who had received the infection from it, and been
destroyed, before the cause was discovered. He wrote
also in defence of the ancient medicine, and against the
practice introduced by Paracelsus.1
DESTOUCHES (PHILIP NEUICAULT), an eminent French
dramatic writer, was born at Tours, in 1680, of a reputable
family, which he left early in life, apparently from being
thwarted in his youthful pursuits. This, however, has been
contradicted ; and it is said that after having passed through
the rudiments of a literary education at Tours, he went,
with the full concurrence of his father, to Paris, in order to
complete his studies ; that being lodged with a bookseller in
the capital, he fell in love at sixteen with a young person,
the relation of his landlord, the consequences of which amour
were such, that young Destouches, afraid to face them, en-
listed as a common soldier in a regiment under orders for
Spain ; that he was present at the siege of Barcelona, where
he narrowly escaped the fate of almost the whole company
to which he belonged, who were buried under a mine sprung
by the besieged. What became of him afterwards, to the
time of his being noticed by the marquis de Puysieulx, is
not certainly known, but the common opinion was, that he
had appeared as a player on the stage ; and having for a
long time dragged his wretchedness from town to town,
was at length nic'.nager of a company of comedians at So-
leure, when the marquis de Puysieulx, ambassador from
France to Switzerland, obtained some knowledge of him
by means of an harangue which the young actor made him
at the head of his comrades. The marquis, habituated by
his diplomatic function to discern and appreciate characters,
1 Moreri. — Foppen Bibl. Belf.— Rees's Cyclopaedia. — Haller Bibl, Me<I. Pract.
B 2
* DESTOUCHES.
judged that one who could speak so well, was destined by
nature to something better than the representation of
French comedies in the centre of Switzerland. He re-
quested a conference with Destouches, sounded him on
various topics, and attached him to his person. It was in
Switzerland that his talent for theatrical productions first
displayed itself; and his " Curieux Impertinent" was ex-
hibited there with applause. His dramatic productions
made him known to the regent, who sent him to London
in 1717, to assist, in his political capacity, at the nego-
tiations then on foot, and while resident here, he had a
singular negociation to manage for cardinal Dubois, to
whom, indeed, he was indebted for his post. That mi-
nister directed him to engage king George I. to ask for
him the archbishopric of Cambray, from the regent duke
of Orleans. The king, who was treating with the regent
on affairs of great consequence, and whom it was the in-
terest of the latter to oblige, could not help viewing this
request in a ridiculous light. " How !" said he to Des-
touches, " would you have a protestant prince interfere
in making a French archbishop ? The regent will only
laugh at it, and certainly will pay no regard to such an ap-
plication." " Pardon me, sire," replied Destouches,^" he
will laugh, indeed, but he will do what you desire." He
then presented to the king a very pressing letter, ready
for signature. " With all my heart, then," said the king,
and signed the letter; and Dubois became archbishop of
Cambray. He spent seven years in London, married there,
and returned to his country ; where the dramatist and
negociator were well received. The regent had a just
sense of his services, and promised him great things ; but
dying soon after, left Destouches the meagre comfort of
reflecting how well he should have been provided for if
the regent had lived. Having lost his patron, he retired
to Fortoiseau, near Melun, as the properest situation to
make him forget the caprices of fortune. He purchased
the place ; and cultivating agriculture, philosophy, and
the muses, abode there as long as he lived. Cardinal
Fleury would fain have sent him ambassador to Petersburg;
but Destouches chose rather to attend his lands and his
woods, to correct with his pen the manners of his own
countrymen ; and to write, which he did with considerable
effect, against the infidels of France. He died in 1754,
' O
leaving a daughter and a son j the latter, by order of
DESTOUCHES. >.
Lewis XV. published at the Louvre an edition of his father's
works, in 4 vols. 4to. Destouch.es had not the gaiety of
Regnard, nor the strong warm colouring of Moliere ; but
he is always polite, tender, and natural, and has been
thought worthy of ranking next to these authors. He de-
serves more praise by surpassing them in the morality and
decorum of his pieces, and he had also the art of attaining
the pathetic without losing the vis comica, which is the
essential character of this species of composition. In the
various connections of domestic life, he maintained a truly
respectable character, and in early life he gave evidence
of his filial duty, by sending 40,000 livres out of his savings
to his father, who was burthened with a large family.1
DEVARIUS (MATTHEW), a learned Greek scholar of
the sixteenth century, was born in the island of Corfou, of
a catholic family. At the age of eight he was taken to
Rome by John Lascaris, and placed with other eastern
youths in the Greek college, which had been just es-
tablished. Having made great progress in this language,
cardinal Rodolphi gave him the care of his library, which
office he held for fifteen years, and in that time he com-
piled an index to Eustathius's commentary on Homer, for
which pope Paul III. gave him a pension ; and Paul IV.
who continued this pension, made him corrector of the
Greek MSS. in the Vatican. On the death of cardinal
Rodolphi, Marc -Antony Colonna, who was afterwards
cardinal, became scholar to Devarius for three years in
the Greek language. He was afterwards patronized by
the cardinal Farnese ; and died in his service, about the
end of the sixteenth century, in the seventieth year of his
age. By order of pope Pius V. he translated the cate-
chism of the council of Trent into Greek ; but the work
for which he is best known is entitled " De Particulis
Graecae linguae liber particularis," of which there have
been many editions, the first published by his nephew,
Peter Devarius, at Rome, in 1558, 4to, and reprinted at
London, 1657, 12mo ; Amsterdam, 1700 and 1718, &c. &c.3
DEVAUX (JoiiN), an eminent surgeon of Paris, in
which city he was born January 27, 1649, was the son of
John Devaux, a man of eminence in the same profession.
He became provost and warden of the surgeons' company,
1 Eloge by d'Alembert.— Diet. Hist.
- Moreri. — Morhof Polyhist,— Fabric. Sibl. Grsec. — Saxii Onomast,
« D E V A U X.
and was universally esteemed for his skill and his writings.
He died May 2, 1729, at Paris. His works are, " Le
Medecin de soi meme," 12mo. ; " L'art de faire des rap-
ports en Chirurgie," 12mo; "Index funereus Chirurgo-
rum Parisiensium, ab anno 1315 ad annum 1714," 12mo,
with several others ; and translations of many excellent
works on physic and surgery, particularly Allen's " Syn-
opsis Medicinae practices," Harris's " De morbis infantum,"
Cockburne ** De Gonorrhasa;" Freind's " Emmenologia,"
&c. &C.1
DEVENTER (HENRY), a celebrated man-midwife, was
born at Deventer, in the province of Over-Yssel, in Hol-
land, towards the end of the seventeenth century. Though
skilled in every branch of medicine, and honoured with
the dignity of doctor in that faculty, he was principally
employed in surgery, and in the latter part of his lite he
almost entirely confined himself to the practice of mid-
wifery, in which art he made considerable improvements.
He acquired also no small share of fame by his various me-
chanical inventions for assisting in preventing and curing
deformities of the body in young subjects. In that ca-
pacity he was repeatedly sent for to Denmark, whence he
drew a considerable revenue. His knowledge of me-
chanics did not, however, prevent his observing that much
mischief was done by the too frequent use of instruments
in midwifery ; and he introduced such improvements in
the art, as gave him a decided preference over Mauriceau,
his almost immediate precursor. Satisfied with the prin-
ciples on which his practice was founded, he published in
1701, " Operationes Chirurgicse novum lumen exhibentes
obstetricantibus," Leyden, 4to, which had been published
in 169h, in his native language. This was followed by a
second part, in 1724, 4to, " Ulterius examen partuum
difficilium, Lapis Lydius obstetricum, et de necessaria ca-
daverum incisione." The two parts were published to-
gether, much improved, in 1733, but the work had already
been translated and published in most of the countries in
Europe. How long the author continued to live after the
publication of this improved edition is not known.
He had often, he says, been required to let the world
know, by advertisement, what kind of defects in the form
of the body he was able to cure or relieve, but had not
i Moreri,
DEVENTER. 7
thought it expedient to do so ; these he has enumerated
and described at the end of the work. They are twenty-
two in number; among them are the following : when the
head, from a contraction of the tendons, fell on one of the
shoulders, he enabled the party to hold his head erect.
On the other hand, when a child came into the world club-
footed, so that it could only touch the ground with its
ancles, he completely, he says, cured the defect, and he
was so sure of his principles, that he required no part of
his stipulated pay until the cure was effected. Some time
after his death, viz. in 1739, a posthumous work was pub-
lished on the rickets, in his native language. Haller speaks
favourably of it, and has given a brief analysis of its con-
tents, by which it appears to contain some useful practical
observations. *
DEVEREUX (WALTER), the first earl of Essex of this
name and family, a general equally distinguished for 'his
courage and conduct, and a nobleman not more illustrious
by his titles than by his birth, was descended from a most
ancient and noble farrr!",, being the son of sir Richard De-
vereux, knight, by Do 'thy, daughter of George earl of
Huntingdon, and gra.idson of Walter viscount of Hereford,
so created by king E- .vard the Sixth. He was b'.;m about
1540, at his grandfatner's castle in Carmarthenshire, and
during his education applied himself to his studies with
great diligence and success. He succeeded to the titles of
viscount Hereford and lord Ferrers of Chartley, in the
nineteenth year of his age, and being early distinguished
for his modesty, learning, and loyalty, stood in higii favour
with his sovereign, queen Elizabeth. In 1569, upon the
breaking out of the rebellion in the north, under the earls
of Northumberland and Westmoreland, he raised a con-
siderable body of forces, which joining those belonging to
the lord admiral and the earl of Lincoln, he was declared
marshal of the army, and obliged the rebels to disperse.
This so highly recommended him to the queen, that in
1572 she honoured him with the garter, and on the 4th of
May, the same year, created him earl of Essex, as being
descended by his great grandmother from the noble
family of Bourchier, long before honoured with the same
title. In the month of January following, he was one of
the peers that sat in judgment upon the duke of Norfolk.
1 Diet. Hist.— Rees's Cyclopedia.— Haller Bibl. Chir.
£ DEVEREUX.
At this time he was such a favourite with the queen, that
some, who were for confining her good graces to them-
selves, endeavoured to remove him. by encouraging an in-
clination he shewed to adventure both his person and for-
tune for her majesty's service in Ireland. Accordingly, on
the 16th of August, 1573, he embarked at Liverpool, accom-
panied by lord Darcy, lord Rich, and many other persons of
distinction, together with a multitude of volunteers, who
were incited by the hopes of preferment, and his lordship's
known reputation. His reception in Ireland was not very
auspicious ; landing at Knockfergus on the J 6th of Sep-
tember, he found the chiefs of the rebels inclined appa-
rently to submit ; but having gained time, they broke out
again into open rebellion. Lord Rich was called away by
his own affairs, and by degrees, most of those who went
abroad with the earl, came home again upon a variety of
pretences. In this situation Essex desired the queen to
carry on the service in her own name, and by her own
command, though he should be at one half of the expence.
Afterwards he applied to the earls of Sussex and Leicester,
and the lord Burleigh, to induce the queen to pay one
hundred horse and six hundred foot ; which, however, did
not take effect ; but the queen, perceiving the slight
put upon him, and that the lord deputy had delayed send-
ing him his commission, was inclined to recal him out of
Ulster, if Leicester and others, who had promoted his re-
moval, had not dissuaded her. The lord deputy, at last,
in 1574, sent him his patent, but with positive orders to
pursue the earl of Desmond oneway, while himself pressed
him another. The earl of Essex reluctantly obeyed, and
either forced or persuaded the earl of Desmond to submis-
sion ; and it is highly probable, would have performed
more essential service, if he had not been thwarted. The
same misfortune attended his subsequent attempts ; and,
excepting the zeal of his attendants, the affection of the
English soldiers, and the esteem of the native Irish, he
gained nothing by all his pains. Worn out at length
with these fruitless fatigues, he, the next year, desired
leave to conclude upon honourable terms an accommoda-
tion with Turlough Oneile, which was refused him. He
then surrendered the government of Ulster into the lord
deputy's hands, believing the forces allowed him alto-
gether insufficient for its defence ; but the lord deputy
obliged him to resume it, and to majrch against Turlough,
DEVEREUX. 9
Oneile, which he accordingly did ; and his enterprize
"being in a fair way of succeeding, he was surprized to re-
ceive instructions, which peremptorily required him to
make peace. This likewise he concluded, without loss of
honour, and then turned his arms against the Scots from
the western islands, who had invaded and taken possession,
of his country. These he quickly drove out, and, by the
help of Norris, followed them into one of their islands ;
and was preparing to dispossess them of other posts, when
he was required to give up his command, and afterwards
to serve at the head of a small body of three hundred men,
with no other title than their captain. All this he owed to
Leicester; but, notwithstanding his chagrin, be continued
to perform his duty, without any shew of resentment, out
of respect to the queen's service. In the spring of the
succeeding year he came over to England, and did not he-
sitate to express his indignation against the all-powerful
favourite, for the usage he had met xvith. But as it was
the custom of that great man to debase his enemies by
exalting them, so he procured an order for the earl of Es-
sex's return into Ireland, with the sounding title of earl -mar-
shal of that kingdom, and with promises that he should be left
more at liberty than in times past; but, upon his arrival
at Ireland, he found his situation so Uttle altered for the
better, that he pined away with grief and sorrow, which at
length proved fatal to him, and brought him to his
end. There is nothing more certain, either from the
public histories, or private memoirs and letters, of that age,
than the excellent character of this noble earl, as a
brave soldier, a loyal subject, and a disinterested patriot ;
and in private life he was of a chearful temper, kind, af-
fectionate, and beneficent to all who were about him. He
was taken ill of a flux on the 21st of August, and in great
pain and misery languished to the 22d of September,
1576, when he departed this life at Dublin, being scarcely
thirty-five years old. There was a very strong report at
the time, of his being poisoned ; but for this there seems
little foundation, yet it must have been suspected, as an
inquiry was immediately made by authority, and sir Henry
Sidney, then lord deputy of Ireland, wrote very fully upon
this subject to the privy-council in England, and to one
of the members of that council in particular. The corpse
of the earl was speedily brought over to England, carried
to the place of his nativity, Carmarthen, and buried there
10 D E V E R E U X.
with great solemnity, and with most extraordinary i<
monies of the unfeigned sorrow of all the country round
about. A funeral sermon was preached on this occasion,
Nov. 26, 1576, and printed at London 1577, 4to. He
married Lettice, daughter to sir Frances Knolles, knight
of the garter, who survived him many years, and whose
speedy marriage after his death to the earl of Leicester,
upon whom common fame threw the charge of hastening
his death, perhaps might encourage that report. By this
lady he had two sons, Robert and Walter, and two daugh-
ters, Penelope, first married to Robert lord Rich, and
then to Charles Blount, earl of Devonshire ; and Dorothy,
who becoming the widow of sir Thomas Perrot, knight,
espoused for her second husband Henry Percy earl of
Northumberland.
One important objection only has been brought forward
against the character of the first earl of Essex, which is
mentioned by Dr. Leland, in his History of Ireland. The
story, as literally translated by Mr. O'Connor, from the
Irish manuscript annals of queen Elizabeth's reign, is as fol-
lows : " Anno 1574. A solemn peace and concord was
made between the earl of Essex and Felim O'Nial. How-
ever, at a feast wherein the earl entertained that chieftain,
and at the end of their good cheer, O'Nial with his wife
\vere seized, their friends who attended were put to the
sword before their faces. Felim, together with his wife
and brother, were conveyed to Dublin, where they were
cut up in quarters. This execution gave universal discon-
tent and horrour." Considering the general character of
the earl of Essex, we cannot avoid greatly doubting of the
authenticity of this fact; and indeed, if it was founded
on truth, it must appear very extraordinary that it should
not have occurred in any other narrative of the times.
Mr. Park has allotted this nobleman a place in his ad-
ditions to the " Royal and Noble Authors," as having writ-
ten " The Complaint of a Sinner, made and sung by the
earle of Essex upon his beath-bed in Ireland," printed in
the " Paradise of dainty Devises," 1576. There is a copy
of this in the Harleian MSS. 293, with an account of the
earl's sickness and death, which latter is ascribed to a
dysentery, without any hint of poison. Besides this, the
earl wrote a letter to the council, another to the queen,
and a third to lord Burleigh, all which afford favourable
proofs of his talents and excellent character. The former
DEVEREUX. 11
is inserted in the Biographia Britannica, and the two latter
in Murden's State Papers.1
DEVEREUX (ROBERT), earl of Essex, memorable for
having been a great favourite, and an unhappy victim to
the arts of his enemies and his own ambition, m the reign
of queen Elizabeth, was son of the preceding, and born
Nov. 10, 1567, at Netherwood, his father's seat in Here-
fordshire. His father dying when he was only in his 10th
year, recommended him to the protection of William Cecil
lord Burleigh, whom he appointed his guardian. Two
years after, he was sent to the university of Cambridge by
this lord, who placed him in Trinity college, under the
care of Dr. Whitgift, then master of it, and afterwards
archbishop of Canterbury. But Mr. Cole, for many reasons,
is inclined to think that he was placed at Queen's, under
Dr. Chaderton. He was, however, educated with much
strictness, and applied himself to learning with great dili-
gence ; though it is said that, in his tender years, there
did not appear aoy pregnant signs of that extraordinary
genius which shone forth in him afterwards. In 1583, he
took the decree of M. A. and kept his public act, and soon
after left Cambridge, and retired to his own house at
Lampsie in South Wales, where he spent some time, and
became so enamoured of his rural retreut, that he was with
difficulty prevailed on to quit it. His first appearance at
court, at least as a candidate for royal favour, was in his
seventeenth year; and he brought thither a fine person, an
agreeable behaviour, and an affability which procured him
many friends. By degrees he so far overcame the reluct-
ance he first shewed against the earl of Leicester, his fa-
ther's enemy, and now very strangely his father-in-law,
that in 1585 he accompanied him to Holland, where we
find him next year in the field, with the title of general of
the horse. In this quality he gave the highest proofs of
personal courage in the battle of Zutphen, fought in 1586;
and, on his return to England, was made, the year after,
master of the horse in the room of lord Leicester promoted.
In 1588, he continued to rise, and indeed almost reached
the summit of his fortune ; for, when her majesty thought
fit to assemble an army at Tilbury, for the defence of the
kingdom against the Spanish invasion, she gave the com-
1 Biog. Brit — Fuller's Worthies.— Lloyd's State Worthies. — Park's Or-
ford, vol. II.
12 DEVEREUX.
mand of it, under herself, to the earl of Leicester, and
created the earl of Essex general of the horse. From this
time he was considered as the favourite declared ; and if
there was any mark yet wanting to rix the people's opinion
in that respect, it was shewn by the queen's conferring on
him the honour of the garter.
So quick an elevation, and to so great an height, unfortu-
nately excited an impetuosity of spirit that was natural to the
earl of Essex, who, among other instances of uncontrouled
temper, often behaved petulantly to the queen herselft
who did not admit, while she sometimes provoked, free-
doms of that kind from her subjects. His eagerness about
this time to dispute her favour with sir Charles Blunt, af-
terwards lord Montjoy and earl of Devonshire, ended in a
duel, in which sir Charles wounded him in the knee. The
queen, so far from being displeased with it, is said to have
sworn a good round oath, that it was fit somebody should
take him down, otherwise there would be no ruling him,
yet she assisted in reconciling the rivals; who, to their
honour, continued good friends as long as they lived. la
1589, sir John Norris and sir Francis Drake having under-
taken an expedition for restoring don Antonio to the crown
of Portugal, the earl of Essex, willing to share the glory,
followed the fleet and army to Spain ; which displeasing
the queen very bighty, as it was done without her consent
or knowledge, she sent him the following letter : " Essex,
your sudden and undutifnl departure from our presence
and your place of attendance, you may easily conceive
how offensive it is and ought to be unto us. Our great fa-
vours, bestowed upon you without deserts, have drawn you.
thus to neglect and forget your duty ; for other construc-
tion we cannot make of these your strange actions. Not
meaning, therefore, to tolerate this your disordered part,
we gave directions to some of our privy-council, to let you
know our express pleasure for your immediate repair
hither, which you have not performed as your duty doth
bind you, increasing thereby greatly your former offence
and undutiful behaviour in departing in such sort without
our privity, having so special office of attendance and
charge near our person. We do therefore charge and
command you forthwith, upon the receipt of these our
letters, all excuses and delays set apart, to make your pre-
sent and immediate repair nnto us, to understand our far-
ther pleasure. Whereof see you fail not, as you will be
D E V E R E U X. 13
loth to incur our indignation, and will answer for the con-
trary at your uttermost peril. The 15th of April, 1589."
At his return, however, he soon recovered her majesty's
good graces, but again irritated her by a private match
\ttth Frances, only daughter of sir Francis Walsingham,
and widow of sir Philip Sidney. This her majesty appre-
hended to be derogatory to the honour of the house of
Essex ; and, though for the present, little notice was taken
of it, yet it is thought that it was not soon forgot. In 1591,
he went abroad, at the head of some forces, to assist
Henry IV. of France : which expedition was afterwards
repeated, but with little or no success. In 1592-3, we
find him present in the parliament at Westminster, about
which time the queen made him one of her privy-council.
He met, however, in this and the succeeding years, with
various causes of chagrin, partly from the loftiness of his
own temper, but chiefly from the artifices of those who
envied his great credit with the queen, and were desirous
to reduce his power within bounds. Thus a dangerous
and treasonable book, written abroad by Parsons, a Jesuit,
and published under the name of Doleman, with a view of
creating dissension in England about the succession to the
crown, was dedicated to him, on purpose to make him
odious ; and it had its effect. But what chiefly soured his
spirit, was his perceiving plainly, that though he could in
most suits prevail for himself, yet he was able to do little
or nothing for his friends. This appeared remarkably in
the case of sir Francis Bacon, which the earl bore with
much impatience ; and, resolving that his friend should
not be neglected, gave him of his own a small estate in
land. There are indeed few circumstances in the life of
this noble person, that do greater honour to his memory,
than his patronage of men of parts and learning. It was
this regard for genius which induced him to bury the im-
mortal Spenser at his own expence ; and in the latter part
of his life, engaged him to take the learned sir Henry
Wotton, and the ingenious Mr. Cuffe, into his service : as
in his earlier days he had admitted the incomparable bro-
thers, Anthony and Francis Bacon, to share his fortunes
and his cares.
But whatever disadvantages the earl might labour under
from* intrigues at court, the queen had commonly recourse
to his assistance in all dangers and difficulties, and placed
him at the head of her fleets and armies, preferably to any
14 DEVEREUX.
other person. His enemies, on the other hand, were con-
triving and exerting all they could against him, by insinu-
ating to the queen, that, considering his popularity, it
would not be at all expedient for her service to receive
such as he recommended to civil employments; and they
carried this so far, as even to make his approbation a suffi-
cient objection to men whom they had encouraged and
recommended themselves. In 1598, a warm dispute arose
in the council, between the old and wise lord -treasurer
Burleigh and the earl of Essex, about continuing the war
with Spain. The earl was for it, the treasurer against it;
who at length grew into a great heat, and told the earl that
he seemed intent upon nothing but blood and slaughter.
The earl explained himself, and said, that the blood and
slaughter of the queen's enemies might be very lawfully
his intention ; that he was not against a solid, but a spe-
cious and precarious peace ; that the Spaniards were a
subtle and ambitious people, who had contrived to do Eng-
land more mischief in the time of peace, than of war, &c.
The treasurer at last drew out a Prayer-book, in which he
shewed Essex this expression : " Men of blood shall not
live out half their days." As the earl knew that methods
would be used to prejudice him with the people of Eng-
land, especially the trading part, who would easily be per-
suaded to think themselves oppressed by taxes levied for
the support of the war, he resolved to vindicate his pro-
ceedings, and for that purpose drew up in writing his own
arguments, which he addressed to his dear friend Anthony
Bacon. This apology stole into the world not long after it
was written ; and the queen, it is said, was exceedingly
offended at it. The title of it runs thus : " To Mr. An-
thony Bacon, an Apologie of the Earle of Essexe, against
those which falselie and maliciouslie take him to be the
only hindrance of the peace and quiet of his countrie."
This was reprinted in 1729, under the title of "The Earl
of Essex's vindication of the war with Spain," in Svo.
About this time died the treasurer Burleigh, which was
a great misfortune to the earl of Essex ; for that lord hav-
ing shewn a tenderness for the earl's person, and a concern
for his fortunes, had many a time stood between him and
his enemies. But now, this guardian being gone, they
acted without any restraint, crossed whatever he proposed,
stopped the rise of every man he loved, and treated all his
projects with an air of contempt. He succeeded lord
DEVEREUX. IS
Burleigh as chancellor of the university of Cambridge ;
and, going down, was there entertained with great mag-
nificence*. This is reckoned one of the last instances of
this great man's felicity, who was now advanced too high
to sit at ease ; and those who longed for his honours and
employments, very closely applied themselves to bring
about his fall. The first great shock he received came
from the queen herself, and arose from a warm dispute
with her majesty about the choice of some fit and able per-
son to superintend the affairs of Ireland. Camden tells
us, that there were only present on this remarkable occa-
sion, the lord admiral, sir Robert Cecil, secretary; and
"Windebanke, clerk of the seal. The queen considered
sir William Knolls, uncle to Essex, as the most proper
person for that charge : Essex contended, that sir George
Carew was a much fitter man for it. When the queen
could not be persuaded to approve his choice, he so far
forgot himself and his duty, as to turn his back upon her in
a contemptuous manner ; which insolence her majesty not
being able to bear, gave him a box on the ear, and, some-
what in her father's language, bid him " go and be hanged.'*
He immediately clapped his hand on his sword, and the
lord admiral stepping in between, he swore a great oath,
declaring that he neither could nor would put up an affront
of that nature ; that he would not have taken it at the
hands of Henry VIII. and in a great passion immediately
withdrew from court. The lord keeper advised him to
apply himself to the queen for pardon. He sent the lord
keeper his answer in a long and passionate letter, which
his friends afterwards unadvisedly communicated; in
which he appealed from the queen to God Almighty, in
expressions to this purpose : " That there was no tempest
so boisterous as the resentment of an angry prince ; that
* When Essex was no more than cellor, supported by that of archbishop
twenty-one years of age, he was com- Whitgift, carried the election against
petitor with the lord chancellor Hatton him. He was again disappointed iu
for -he chancellorship of the university a similar attempt, which he made at
of Oxford, which had become vacant the latter end of the year 1591, upon
by the Heath of the earl of Leicester, the death of sir Christopher Hatton.
pn thtr 4th of September, 1588. Into On this occasion, a majority of the
this university our young earl had electors would have declared in his
l»een incorporated master of arts in the favour, had they not been influenced by
preceding April. He did not succeed the authority of the queen, who recom-
in the contest ; for being generally mended by letters Thomas Sackville,
considered as a patron of the puritan lord Buckhurst, and he was accordingly
parly, as his deceased father-in-law chosen,
had been, the interest of the lord chan-
DEVEREUX.
the queen was of a flinty temper ; that he well enough knew
what was due from him as a subject, an earl, and grand
marshal of England, but did not understand the office of a
drudge or a porter ; that to own himself a criminal was to
injure truth, and the author of it, God Almighty : that his
body suffered in every part of it by that blow given by his
prince ; and that it would be a crime in him to serve a
queen who had given him so great an affront." He was
afterwards reconciled and restored in appearance to the
queen's favour, yet there is good reason to doubt whether
he ever recovered it in reality : and his friends have ge-
nerally dated his ruin from this singular dispute *.
The ear) met with nothing in Ireland but disappoint-
ments, in the midst of which, an army was suddenly raised
in England, under the command of the earl of Nottingham ;
nobody well knowing why, but in reality from the sugges-
tions of the earl's enemies to the queen, that he rather me-
ditated an invasion on his native country, than the reduc-
tion of the Irish rebels. This and other considerations
made him resolve to quit his post, and come over to Eng-
* The total reduction of Ireland be-
ing brought upou the tapis soon after,
the earl was pitched upon as the only
man from whom it could be expected ;
an artful contrivance of his enemies,
who hoped by this means to ruin himj
nor were their expectations disappoint-
ed, lie declined this fatal preferment
as long as he could ; but, perceiving
that he should have 'no quiet at home,
be accepted it, and his commission for
loid lieutenant passed the great seal in
March 15P8. His enemies now began
to insinuate, that he had sought this
command for the sake of greater things
which he then was meditating; but
there is a letter of his to the queen,
preserved in the Harleian collection,
which shews, that he was so far from
entering upon it with alacrity, that he
looked upon it rather as a banishment,
and a place assigned him for a retreat
from his sovereign's displeasure, than a
potent government bestowed upon him
by her favour: " To the queen. From
a mind delighting in sorrow, from spi-
rits wasted with passion, from a heart
torn in pieces with care, grief, and
travel, from a man that hateth him-
self, and all things else that keep him
alive, what service can your majesty
expect, since any service past deserves
no more than banishment and pro-
scription to the cursedest of all is-lnnds?
It is your rebels' pride and succession
must give me leave to ransom myself
out of this hateful prison, out of my
loathed body ; which, if it happened
so, your majesty shall have no cause
to mislike the fashion of my death,
since the course of my life could never
please you.
'•' Happy he could finish forth his fate,
In some unhaunted desert most obscure
From all society, from love and hate
Of worldly folk ; then should he sleep
secure.
Then wake again, and yield God
ever praise.
Content with hips, and hawes, and
bramble-berry ;
In contemplation passing out his
days,
And change of holy thoughts to make
him merry.
Who when he dies, his tomb may be
a bush,
Where harmless robin dwells wilh
gentle thrush.
Your majesty's exiled servant,
ROBERT ESSES-."
DEVEREUX. 17
land ; which he accordingly did, and presented himself
before the queen. He met with a tolerable reception ;
but was soon after confined, examined, and dismissed from
all his offices, except that of master of the horse. In the
summer of" 1600, he recovered his liberty; and in the
autumn following, he received Mr. Cuffe, who had been
his secretary in Ireland (See CUFFE), into his councils.
Cuffe, who was a man of his own disposition, laboured to
persuade him, that submission would never do him any
good ; that the queen was in the hands of a faction, who
were his enemies ; and that the only way to restore his
fortune was to obtain an audience, by whatever means he
could, in order to represent his case. The earl did not
consent at first to this dangerous advice; but afterwards,
giving a loose to his passion, began to declare himself
openly, and among other fatal expressions let fall this,
that " the queen grew old and cankered ; and that her
mind was become as crooked as her carcase." His ene-
mies, who had exact intelligence of all that he proposed,
and had provided effectually against the execution of his
designs, hurried him upon his fate by a message, sent on
the evening of Feb. 7, requiring him to attend the council,
which he declined. This appears to have unmanned him,
and in his distraction of mind, he gave out, that they sought
his life ; kept a watch in Essex-house all night; and sum-
moned his friends for his defence the next morning. Many
disputes ensued, and some blood was spilt ; but the earl
at last surrendered, and was carried that night to the arch-
bishop's palace at Lambeth, and the next day to the
Tower. On the 19th, he was arraigned before his peers,
and after a long trial was sentenced to lose his head : upon
which melancholy occasion he said nothing more than this,
viz. " If her majesty had pleased, this body of mine might
have done her better service ; however, I shall be glad if it
may prove serviceable to her any way." He was executed
upon the 25th, in his thirty-fourth year, leaving behind
him one only son and two daughters. As to his person, he
is reported to have been tall, but not very well made; his
countenance reserved ; his air rather martial than courtly ;
very careless in dress, and a little addicted to trifling di-
versions, He was learned, and a lover of learned men,
whom he always encouraged and rewarded. He was sin-
cere in his friendships, but not so careful as he ought to
have been in making a right choice ; sound in h\s morals,
VOL. XII. C
18 D E V E R E U X.
except in point of gallantry, and thoroughly well affected
to the protestant religion. Historians inform us, that as
„ to his execution, the queen remained irresolute to the very
.last, and sent sir Edward Carey to countermand it ; but,
as Camden says, considering afterwards his obstinacy in
refusing to ask her pardon, she countermanded those or-
ders, and directed that he should die. There is an odd
story current in the world about a ring, which the che-
valier Louis Aubrey de Mourier, many years the French
minister in Holland, and a man of great parts and unsus-
pected credit, delivers as an undoubted truth ; and that
upon the authority of an English minister, who might be
well presumed to know what he said. As the incident is
remarkable, and has made much noise, we will report it
in the words of that historian : " It will not, I believe, be
thought either impertinent or disagreeable to add here,
what prince Maurice had from the mouth of Mr. Carleton,
ambassador of England in Holland, who died secretary of
state ; so well known under the name of lord Dorchester,
a«d who was a man of great merit. He said, that queen
Elizabeth gave the earl of Essex a ring, in the height of
her passion for him, ordering him to keep it ; and that
whatever he should commit, she would pardon him when
he should return that pledge. Since that time the earl's
enemies having prevailed with the queen, who, besides,
was exasperated against him for the contempt he had
shewed her beauty, now through age upon the decay, she
caused him to be impeached. When he was condemned,
she expected to receive from him the ring, and would have
granted him his pardon according to her promise. The
earl, finding himself in the last extremity, applied to ad-
miral Howard's lady, who was his relation ; and desired
her, by a person she could trust, to deliver the ring into
the queen's own hands. But her husband, who was one of
the earl's greatest enemies, and to whom she told this im-
prudently, would not suffer her to acquit herself of the
commission ; so that the queen consented to the earl's
death, being full of indignation against so proud and
haughty a spirit, who chose rather to die than implore her
mercy. Some time after, the admiral's lady fell sick ;
and, being given over by her physicians, she sent word to
the queen that she had something of great consequence to
tell her before she died. The queen came to her bed-
Bide i and having ordered all her attendants to withdraw,
DEVEREUX. 19
the admiral's lady returned her, but too late, that ring
from the earl of Essex, desiring to be excused for not
having returned it sooner, since her husband had pre-
vented her. The queen retired immediately, overwhelmed
with the utmost grief; she sighed continually for a fort-
night, without taking any nourishment, lying in bed en-
tirely dressed, and getting up an hundred times a night.
At last she died with hunger and with grief, because she
had consented to the death of a lover who had applied to
her for mercy." Histoire de Hollancle, p. 215, 216.
This account has commonly been treated as a fable ;
but late discoveries seem to have confirmed it. See the
proofs of this remarkable fact, collected in Birch's Nego-
ciations, &c. p. 206, and Hume's History, at the end of
Elizabeth's reign.
Lord Orford has entered into a long disquisition on the
proofs of queen Elizabeth's love for the earl of Essex, and
certainly proves that she had a more than ordinary attach-
ment to him, although in some of the circumstances it ap»
pears to savour more of the fondness of a capricious mo-
ther, than of a mistress. His lordship has done wiser in
having placed the earl of Essex among the noble authors of
England. The various pieces enumerated by lord Orford
justly entitle him to that distinction; and he has a farther
claim to it from the numerous letters of his which occur in
the different collections of state papers, and especially in
Birch's "Memoirs of the Reign of queen Elizabeth." " But
of all his compositions," says Mr. Walpole, " the most ex-
cellent, arid in many respects equal to the performances
of the greatest geniuses, is a long letter to the queen
from Ireland, stating the situation of that country in a
most masterly manner, both as a general and statesman,
and concluding with strains of the tenderest eloquence, on
finding himself so unhappily exposed to the artifice of his
enemies during his absence. It cannot fail to excite ad-
miration, that a man ravished from all improvement and
reflection at the age of seventeen, to be nursed, perverted,
fondled, dazzled in a court, should, notwithstanding, have
snatched such opportunities of cultivating his mind and
understanding :'' In another letter from Ireland, he say»
movingly, " 1 provided for this service a breast-plate, but
not a cuirass ; that is, I am armed on the breast, but not
On the back."
It has been surmised that the earl of Essex used the pen,
e 2
20 DEVEREUX.
first, of Francis Bacon, and afterwards of Cuffe. Speak-
ing of Bacon, Dr. Birch observes, that it is certain that
Essex did not want any such assistance, and could not
have had it upon many and most important occasions,
which required him to write' some of the most finished of
his epistolary performances, the style of which is not only
very different from, but likewise much more natural, easy,
and perspicuous than that of his friend, who acknowledges
it to be " far better than his own." With regard to Cuffe,
Mr. Walpole remarks, that he might have some hand in
collecting the materials relative to business, but that there
runs through all the earl's letters a peculiarity of style, so
adapted to his situation and feelings, as could not have
been felt for him or dictated by any body else.
It was as a prose-writer that the earl of Essex excelled,
and not as a poet. He is said to have translated one of Ovid's
Epistles; and a few of his sonnets are preserved in the
Ashmolean museum. They display, however, no marks
of poetic genius. " But if Essex," says Mr. Warton, " was
no poet, few noblemen of his age were more courted by
poets. From Spenser to the lowest rhymer he was the sub-
ject of numerous sonnets, or popular ballads. I will not
except Sydney. I could produce evidence to prove, that
he scarcely ever went out of England, or even left London,
on the most frivolous enterprize, without a pastoral in his
praise, or a panegyric in metre, which were sold and sung
in the streets. Having interested himself in the fashionable
poetry of the times, he was placed high in the ideal Ar-
cadia now just established ; and, among other instances
which might be brought, on his return from Portugal in
1589 he was complimented with a poem called "An Egloge
gratulatorie entituled to the right honorable and renowned
shepherd of Albion's Arcadia, Robert earl of Essex, and
for his returne lately into England." This is a light in
which lord Essex is seldom viewed. I know not if the
queen's fatal partiality, or his own inherent attractions,
his love of literature, his heroism, integrity, and genero-
sity, qualities which abundantly overbalance his presump-
tion, his vanity, and impetuosity, had the greater share
in dictating these praises. If adulation were any where
justifiable, it must be when paid to the man who endea-
voured to save Spenser from starving in the streets of
Dublin, and who buried him in Westminster-abbey with
DEVEREUX. 21
becoming solemnity. Spenser was persecuted by Burleigh
because he was patronised by Essex."
No small degree of popularity has always adhered to the
character and memory of the earl of Essex. A strong
proof of this is his having been the subject of four different
tragedies. We refer to the " Unhappy favourite," by
John Banks ; the " Fall of the Earl of Essex," by James
Ralph ; the " Earl of Essex," by Henry Jones ; and the
" Earl of Essex," by Henry Brooke. '
DEVEREUX (ROBERT), son to the former, and third
earl of Essex, was born in 1592, at Essex-house, in the
Strand ; and at the time of his father's unhappy death,
was under the care of his grandmother, by whom he was sent
to Eton school, where he was first educated. In the month
of January 1602, he was entered a gentleman-commoner
of Merton- college, Oxford, where he had an apartment
in the warden's lodgings, then Mr. Savile, afterwards the
celebrated sir Henry Savile, his father's dear friend, and
who, for his sake, was exceedingly careful in seeing that
he was learnedly and religiously educated. The year fol-
lowing, he was restored to his hereditary honours ; and in
1605, when king James visited the university of Oxford,
our young earl of Essex was created M. A. on the 30th of
August, for the first tirne, which very probably he had
forgotten, or he would not have received the same honour
above thirty years afterwards. He was already in posses-
sion of his father's high spirit, of which he gave a suffi-
cient indication in a quarrel which he had with prince
Henry. Some dispute arose between them at a game at
tennis ; the prince called his companion the son of a trai-
tor; who retaliated by giving him a severe blow with his
racket ; and the king was obliged to interfere to restore
peace. At the age of fourteen, he was betrothed to lady
Frances Howard, who was still younger than himself; but
he immediately set out on his travels, and during his ab-
sence the affections of his young wife were estranged from
him, and fixed upon the king's favourite, Carr, afterwards
earl of Somerset. The consequence was a suit instituted
against the husband for impotency, in which, to the dis-
grace of the age, the king interfered, and which ended in
1 Biog1. Brit. — Birch's Memoirs of queen Elizabeth. — Hume's and other
histories of England. — Mark's edition of the Royal and Noble Authors. — Seward's
Anecdotes and Biographiana. — Ellis's Specimens, &c.
•
22 DEVEREUX.
a divorce. The earl of Essex, feeling himself disgraced
by the sentence, retired to his country seat, and spent
some years in rural sports and amusements. In 1£20, being
wearied of a state of inaction, he joined the earl of Ox-
ford in a military expedition to the Palatinate, where they
served with companies of their own raising, under sir Ho-
ratio Vere, and in the following year they served in Hol-
land, under prince Maurice, In the course of the winter
they returned to England, and lord Essex appeared in the
ranks of the opposition in parliament. On this account he
was not favourably received at court, which was the mean
of attaching him the more closely to foreign service. He
commanded a regiment raised in England for the United
States in 1624, and though nothing very important was
atchieved by the English auxiliaries, yet he acquired ex-
perience, and distinguished himself among the nobility of
the time. On the accession of Charles I. he was employed
as vice-admiral in an expedition against Spain, which proved
unsuccessful. In 1626, he made another campaign in the
Low Countries, and shortly after he formed another un-
happy match, by marrying the daughter of sir William
Paulet, from whom, owing to her misconduct, he was di-
vorced within two years. He now resolved to give him-
self up entirely to public life ; he courted popularity, and
made friends among the officers of the army and the pu-
ritan ministers. He was, however, employed by the king
in various important services; but when the king and court
left the metropolis, lord Essex pleaded in excuse his obli-
gation to attend in his place as a peer of the realm, and was
accordingly deprived of all his employments ; a step which
alone seemed wanting to fix him in opposition to the king;
and in July 1642 he accepted the post of general of the
parliamentary army. He opposed the king in person at
Edge-hill, where the victory was so indecisive, that each
party claimed it as his own. After this he was successful
in some few instances, but in other important trusts he did
little to recommend him to the persons in whose interests
he was employed. He was, however, treated with ex-
ternal respect, until the self-denying ordinance threw him
entirely out of the command : he resigned his commission,
but not without visible marks of discontent. Unwilling to
lose him altogether, the parliament voted that he should
be raised to a dukedom, and be allowed 10,000/. per an-
num, to support his new dignity j but these were
DEVEREUX. 23
vented by a sudden death, which, as in the case of his
grandfather, was by some attributed to unfair means. He
died September 14, 1646. Parliament directed a pub-
lic funeral for him, which was performed with great
solemnity in the following month, at Westminster abbey.
In his conduct, the particulars of which may be seen in
the history of the times, a want of steadiness is to be dis-
covered, which candour would refer to the extraordinary
circumstances in which public men were then placed.
Personal affronts at court, whether provoked or not, led
him to go a certain length with those who, he did not per-
ceive, wanted to go much farther, and although he ap-
peared in arms against his sovereign, no party was pleased
with his efforts to preserve a balance ; yet, with all his
er/ors, Hume and other historians, not friendly to the re-
publican cause, have considered his death as a public
misfortune. Hume says, that fully sensible of the excesses
to which affairs had been carried, and of the worse conse-
quences which were still to be apprehended, he had re-
solved to conciliate a peace, and to remedy as far as pos-
sible all those ills to which, from mistake rather than any
bad intention, he had himself so much contributed. The
presbyterian, or the moderate party among the commons,
found themselves considerably weakened by his death; and
the small remains of authority which still adhered to the
house of peers, were in a manner wholly extinguished. l
DE VEHGY (PETER HENRY TREYSSAC), a French
adventurer, of whose private life little is known, and
whose public history is not of the most reputable kind, re-
quires, however, some notice, as the author of various
publications, and an agent in some political transactions
which once were deemed of importance. He styled himself
advocate in the parliament of Bourdeaux. The first notice
of him occurs about 1763, when he had a concern in the
quarrel between the count de Guerchy, ambassador extra-
ordinary from the court of France, and the chevalier
D'Eon, (see D'EoN). About this time D'Eon published a
letter to the count de Guerchy, by which we learn that
De Vergy solicited his (D'Eon's) acquaintance, which he
declined unless he* brought letters of recommendation,
and that De Vergy, piqued at the refusal, boasted of being
perfectly well known to the count de Guerchy, which
1 Biog. Brit. — Clarendon's History. — Hume, &c.
24 D E V E R G Y.
proved to be a falsehood. This produced a quarrel be-
tween D'Eon and De Vergy, and a pamphlet in answer
to D'Eon's letter, and another answer under the title of
" Centre Note." After the more celebrated quarrel be-
tween de Guerchy and D'Eon, De Vergy published a
parcel of letters from himself to the due de Cboiseul, in
which he positively asserts that the count de Guerchy pre-
vailed with him to come over to England to assassinate
D'Eon. He even went farther, and before the grand
jury of Middlesex, made oath to the same effect. Upon
this deposition, the grand jury found a bill of intended
murder against the count de Guerchy; which bill, how-
ever, never came to the petty jury. The king granted
a noli prosequi in favour of De Guerchy, and the at-
torney-general was ordered to prosecute De Vergy, with
the result of which order we are unacquainted ; but it
is certain that De Vergy, in his last will, confesses his
concern in a plot against D'Eon, and intimates that he
withdrew his assistance upon finding that it was in-
tended to affect the chevalier's life. After the above
transaction, we find him in 1767, publishing " Lettre
centre la Raison," or, " A Letter against Reason, ad-
dressed to the chevalier D'Eon," in which he repeats some
of the hacknied doctrines of the French philosophical
school, and professes himself a free-thinker. This was
followed by a succession of novels, entitled " The Mistakes
of the Heart;" " The Lovers ;" " Nature ;" " Henriet-
ta;" "The Scotchman;" and "The Palinode," written
in remarkably good English, and with much knowledge of
human nature; but scarcely one of them is free from the
grossest indelicacies. He wrote also, in 1770, " A De-
fence of the duke of Cumberland," a wretched catchpenny.
De Vergy died Oct. J, 1774, aged only forty-two, and
remained unburied until March, his executor waiting for
directions from his family. He had desired in his will that
his relations would remove his body to Bourdeaux, but it
was at last interred in St. Pancras church-yard.1
DEUSINGIUS (ANTHONY), a learned physician, and
voluminous writer on medicine and natural philosophy, was
born at Meurs, in the duchy of Juliers, October 16th,
4612. After studying the classics and the Arabic and
' Ly%ons's Environs, vol. III. — Gent. Ma^. XLIV. where is part of his will. —
Chesterfield's Letters, vol. II. j>. -iSo, 4tt> edit.
D E U S I N G I U S. 25
Persian languages, lie went to Leyden, where he com-
pleted his education by taking the degree of M. D. in
1634; and three years after was appointed professor in
mathematics at Meurs. In 1639, he was called to succeed
Jsaac Pontanus in ttie chair of natural philosophy and ma-
thematics; and in 1642 to that of medicine, at Hardenvick,
to which was added the office of physician to the city.
From Harderwick he went to Groningen, where he was not
only professor of medicine, but rector of the university,
and ancient of the church. Amid the business which such
accumulated duties heaped upon him, he found leisure to
write a greater number of treatises on the different parts of
medicine and philosophy than have fallen from the pen.
of almost any other man. Haller and Manget have given
a list of fifty-four, but a small number of these are on prac-
tical subjects, many of them being metaphysical and
controversial. Those relating to his controversy with Sil-
vius, are written with great acrimony; though the sub-
jects, which are mostly physiological, do not seem calcu-
lated to excite so much rancour as we see infused into
them. Among these are, " Joannes Cloppenburgius,
Heautontimorumenos, seu retorsio injuriarum de libello
falsidico, cui titulus, Res judicata, cumulatarum," 1643,
4to. The subject of dispute is the nature of the soul, and
on the intelligences that direct the course of the stars.
O
" Canticum Avicennas de Medicina, ex Arab. Lat. reddit.'*
1649, 4to. " Dissertationes duae, prior de motu cordis
et sanguinis, altera de lacte ac nutrimento foetus in utero,"
1651, 4to.- In this he defends the circulation of the blood,
as described by our countryman Harvey. " Synopsis Me-
dicine universali?," 1649, &c. Deusingius died in the
winter of 1666, of a pleuritic affection, occasioned by
taking a long journey, in very severe weather, to visit the
count of Nassau, to whom he was physician. *
DEWAILLY (CHARLES), an eminent French architect,
was born at Paris, Nov. 9, 1729. He was educated by one
of his uncles, and from his earliest infancy discovered an.
unconquerable partiality for the study and practice of ar-
chitecture, in which he afterwards became a great pro-
ficient. His chief master was Lejay, who at this period
had just established a new school of the profession, and
1 Moreri. — Haller and Manget. — Rees's Cyclopaedia. — Foppen Bibl. Belg. —
Nieeron, vol. XXil.
16 D E W A I L L Y.
recovered it from the contempt in which it had been held
from the age of Lewis XIV. In 1752 Dewailly obtained
the chief architectural prize, and the privilege of studying
at Rome for three years, at the expence of the nation.
Upon this success, his biographer notices an action truly
generous and laudable in the mind of an emulous young
man. The student to whom the second prize was decreed,
and whose name was Moreau, appeared extremely sorrow-
ful. Dewailly interrogated him upon the subject of his
chagrin ; and learning that it proceeded from his having
lost the opportunity of prosecuting his profession in Italy,
he flew to the president of the architectural committee, and
earnestly solicited permission that his unfortunate rival
might be allowed to travel to Rome as well as himself. On
an objection being adduced from the established rules —
" Well, well," replied he, " I yet know a mode of recon-
ciling every thing. 1 am myself allotted three years ; of
these I can dispose as I like — I give eighteen months of
I O O
them to Moreau.*' This generous sacrifice was accepted ;
and Dewailly was amply rewarded by the public esteem
which accompanied the transaction. In most of the mo-
dern buildings of taste and magnificence in his own country,
Dewailly was a party employed, and many of his designs
are engraven in the Encyclopedic and in Laborde's De-
scription of France. He was a member of the academy of
painting, as well as that of architecture ; in the latter of
which he was at once admitted into the higher class, with-
out having, as is customary, passed through the inferior.
Of the national institute he was a member from its es-
tablishment. He died in 1799, having been spared the
affliction of beholding one of his most exquisite pieces of
workmanship, the magnificent hall of the Odeon, destroyed
by fire, a catastrophe which occurred but a short time after
his demise. *
D'EWES (Sir SYMONDS), an English historian and an-
tiquary, was the son of Paul D'Eues, esq. and born in
1602, at Coxden in Dorsetshire, the seat of Richard Sy-
xnonds, esq. his mother's father. He was descended from
an ancient family in the Low Countries, from whence his
ancestors removed hither, and gained a considerable settle-
ment in the county of Suffolk. In 16 IS, he was entered a
fellow- commoner of St. John's college in Cambridge ; and
1 Memoirs of the National Institute.
D'E W E S. 27
about two years after, began to collect materials for form-
ing a correct and complete history of Great Britain. He
was no less studious in preserving the history of his own
times ; setting down carefully the best accounts he was
able to obtain of every memorable transaction, at the time
it happened. This disposition in a young man of parts
recommended him to the acquaintance of persons of the
first rank in the republic of letters, such as Cotton, Seldeiij
Spelman, &c. In 1626, he married Anne, daughter to sir
William Clopton of Essex, an exquisite beauty, not four-
teen years old, with whom he was so sincerely captivated,
that his passion for her seems to have increased almost to
a degree of extravagance, even after she was his wife. He
pursued his studies, however, as usual, with great vigour
and diligence, and when little more than thirty years of
age, finished that large and accurate work for which he is
chiefly memorable. This work he kept by him during his
life-time ; it being written, as he tells us, for his own pri-
vate use. It was published afterwards with this title :
" The Journals of all the Parliaments during the reign of
queen Elizabeth, both of the House of Lords and House
of Commons, collected by sir Symonds D'Ewes, of Stow-
hall in the county of Suffolk, knt. and bart. revised and
published by Paul Bowes, of the Middle Temple, esq.
1682," folio. In 16:53, he resided at Islington in Middle-
sex. In 1639, he served the office of high sheriff of the
county of Suffolk, having been knighted some time be-
fore ; and in the long parliament, which was summoned
to meet Nov. 3, 164-0, he was elected burgess for Sudbury
in that county. July 15, 1641, he was created a baronet;
yet upon the breaking out of the civil war, he adhered to
the parliament, and took the solemn league and covenant
in 1643. He sat in this parliament till Dec. 1648, when
he was turned out among those who were thought to have
some regard left for the person of the king, and the old
constitution in church and state. He died April 18, 1650,
and was succeeded in his titles and large estate by his son
Willoughby D'Ewes; to whom the above Journals were
dedicated, when published, by his cousin Paul Bowes,
esq. who was himself a gentleman of worth and learning.
Though these labours of sir Symonds contributed not a
little to illustrate the general history of Great Britain, as
well as to explain the important transactions of one of the
most glorious reigns in it, yet two or three circumstances
28 D ' E W E S.
of his life have occasioned him to have been set by writers
in perhaps a more disadvantageous light than he deserved ;
not to mention that general one, common to many others,
of adhering to the parliament during the rebellion. Hav-
ing occasion to write to archbishop Usher in 1639, he un-
fortunately let fall a hint to the prejudice of Camden's
*' Britannia ;" for, speaking of the time and pains he had
spent in collecting materials for an accurate history of
Great Britain, and of his being principally moved to this
task, by observing the many mistakes of the common
writers, he adds, " And indeed what can be expected from
them, considering that, even in the so much admired
' Britannia' of Camden himself, there is not a page, at
least hardly a page, without errors r" This letter of his
afterwards coming to light, among other epistles to that
learned prelate, drew upon him the heaviest censures.
Smith, the writer of the Latin life of Camden, assures us,
that his " Britannia" was universally approved by all
proper judges, one only, sir Symonds D'Ewes, excepted ;
who, " moved," says he, " by I know not what spirit of
envy, gave out that there was scarce a page," &c. Nicol-
son, in his account of Camden's work, says, that " some
early attempts were made by an envious person, one Brook
or Brookmouth, to blast the deservedly great reputation of
this work : but they perished and came to nothing; as did
likewise the terrible threats given out by sir Symonds
D'Ewes, that he would discover errors in every page."
Bishop Gibson has stated the charge against this gentle-
man more mildly, in his Life of Camden, prefixed to the
English translation of his Britannia. " In the year 1607,"
says the bishop, "he put the last hand to his Britannia,
which gained him the titles of the Varro, Strabo, and Pau-
sanias of Britain, in the writings and letters of other
learned men. Nor did it ever after meet with any enemies
that I know of, only sir Symonds D'Ewes encouraged us
to hope for animadversions upon the work, after he had
observed to a very great man, that there was not a page in
it without a fault. But it was only threatening ; and nei-
ther the world was the better, nor was Mr. Camden's re-
putation e'er the worse for it." Sir Symonds was certainly
not defensible for throwing out at random, as it should
seem, such a censure against a work universally well re-
ceived, without ever attempting to support it ; yet some
have excused him by saying that this censure was contained
D'E W E S. 29
in a private letter ; and that sir Symonds had a high sense
of Camden's merit, whom he mentions very respectfully in
the preface to his Journals, &c.
Another thing which hurt his character with some par-
ticular writers, was a very foolish speech he made in the
long parliament, Jan. 2, 1640, in support of the antiquity
of the university of Cambridge. This was afterwards pub-
lished under the title of " A Speech delivered in parlia-
ment by Symonds D'Ewes, touching the antiquity of Cam-
bridge, 1642," 4to, and exposed him to very severe usage
from Wood, Hearne, &c. as it still must to the contempt of
every accurate antiquary. Other writers, however, and
such as cannot be at all suspected of partiality to him, have
spoken much to his honour. Echard, in his History of
England, savs, " We shall next mention sir Symonds
D'Ewes, a gentleman educated at the university of Cam-
bridge, celebrated for a most curious antiquary, highly es-
teemed by the great Selden, and particularly remarkable
for his Journals of all the parliaments in queen Elizabeth's
reign, and for his admirable MS library he left behind him,
now in the hands of one of the greatest geniuses of the
age:" meaning the late earl of Oxford. Some curious
extracts from the MS journal of his own life (preserved
among the Harieian MSS.) are printed in the " Bibliotheca
Topographica Britannica, 1783." In this he has given a
minute account of his courtship and marriage. The only
love-letter he had occasion to send, and which was accom-
panied with a present of a diamond carcanet, was as fol-
lows :
" Fairest,
" Blest is the heart and hand that sincerely sends these
meaner lines, if another heart and eye gratiouslie daigne
to pittie the wound of the first, and the numnes of the lat-
ter : and thus may this other poore inclosed carcanett, if
not adorn the purer neck, yet be hidden in the private
cabinet of her, whose humble sweetness and sweet humi-
lity deserve the justest honour, the greatest thankfulness.
Nature made stones, but opinion jewels; this, without
your milder acceptance and opinion, will prove neither
stone nor jewel. Do but enhappie him that sent it in the
ordinary use of it, who though unworthie in himself, yet
resolves to continue your humblest servant,
«« SlMO.NDS
30 D ' E W E S.
That sir Symonds D'Ewes's judgment and taste with
regard to wit were as contemptible as can well be imagined,
will be evident from the following passage, taken from his
account of Carr earl of Somerset, and his wife. " This
discontent gave many satyrical wits occasion to vent them-
selves into stingie libels, in which they spared neither the
persons, families, nor most secret avowtries of that unfor-
tunate paire. There came alsoe two anagrams to my
handes, not unworthie to be owned by the rarest witts of
this age, though the first be resolved into somewhat too
broad an expression for soe nobly an extracted ladie :
Frances Howard, Thomas Overburie,
Car finds a whore. 66 a busi murther."
In his estimation of the merit of historical composition,
sir Symonds displayed a far superior discernment. He
was a passionate admirer of Thuanus's History, anxiously
applied to the younger Thuanus, to obtain copies of such
parts of it as had not hitherto been published, and was suc-
cessful in procuring a picture of that great author, and an-
other of the famous admiral Coligni. Several of his MS
collections and correspondence are preserved in the British
Museum. I
DEWiT, or DE WIT (JAMES), a painter of history and
portrait, was born at Amsterdam in 1695, and acquired
the principles of his art from Albert Spiers, a portrait
painter. He afterwards became a disciple of Jaques Van
Halen, an historical painter of considerable reputation j
under whose instructions he made great improvement,
particularly by copying some capital paintings of Rubens
and Vandyke. In 1713, he obtained the first prize in the
academy, for designing after a living model, and the first
prize for painting history ; and he became more known by
sketching several of the ceilings in the Jesuits' church at
Antwerp, originally painted by Rubens and Vandyke,
which had been much injured by lightning. He declined
the painting of portraits, though much solicited to engage
in this branch of his art, and chiefly restricted himself to
the painting of ceilings and grand apartments, in which he
excelled by an elegance of taste, and tolerable correctness
of design. His most noted work was for the burgo masters
of Amsterdam, in their great council-chamber j in which
I Biog. Brit. &c.
D E W I T. 31
he chose for his subject Moses appointing the 70 elders,
and which he executed in a manner highly honourable to
him as an artist. Without ever having seen Rome, he
acquired the style of the Italian masters, by studying after
the finest designs of the best artists of that country, which
he collected with great judgment and expence. The co-
louring of Dewit is extremely good, and his compositions
are grand and pleasing ; his pencil is free, and his touch
abounds with spirit and brilliancy ; and a better taste of
design would have rendered him truly eminent. But his
singular excellence consisted in his imitations of bas-relief
in stone, wood, or plaster, which he painted both in oil
and in fresco, so as to give them the appearance of real
carvings. His sketches, though slight, are much admired
for their freedom and spirit, and are purchased by persons
of the best taste. This artist, who died at Amsterdam in
1754, etched, from his own designs, a set of six small
plates, representing " groupes of boys," which are exe-
cuted in a very spirited style; and the " Virgin and Child."1
DE WITT (JOHN), the famous pensionary of Holland,
was the second son of Jacob De Witt, burgomaster of
Dort, and deputy to the states of Holland ; and born in
1625. He was educated at Dort, and made so great a
progress in his studies, that at twenty-three he published
" Elementa Curvarum Linearum ;" one of the ablest books
in mathematics that had appeared in those days. After
he had taken the degree of LL. D. he travelled for some
years; and, on his return in 1650, became a pensionary
of Dort, and distinguished himself early in the manage-
ment of public affairs. He opposed with all his power the
war between the English and Dutch, representing in strong
colours the necessary ill consequences of it to the republic :
and, when the events justified his predictions, gained so
great credit, that he was unanimously chosen pensionary
of Holland ; first to officiate provisionally, and afterwards
absolutely into the office. On this occasion, some of his
friends, reminding him of the fate of his predecessor Barne-
velt, he replied, that " human life was liable to trouble
and danger; and that he thought it honourable to serve
his country, which he was resolved to do, whatever returns
he might meet with." The continuance of the war was so
visibly destructive to the commerce and interest of the
1 Pilkington.— Strutt's Diet, in Wit.
32 D E W I T T.
republic, that the pensionary with his friends used all their
skill to produce a negociation. Ambassadors were sent to
Cromwell, who by this time had called a new parliament. To
this assembly the Dutch ministers were directed to apply,
but quickly found them very different people from those
with whom they had been accustomed to deal ; for they
entertained the ambassadors with long prayers, and dis-
covered a total ignorance °f tne business, tellinjj Crom-
O 7 O
well, that, if he would assume the supreme authority, they
might soon come to a right understanding. This was pre-
cisely what he wanted ; and though he rejected their ad-
vice in words, declaring himself an humble creature of the
parliament, yet he soon after found means to get rid of
them, and took upon him the government under the title
of protector. He then made a peace with the Dutch ; the
most remarkable condition of which was, the adding a se-
cret article for the exclusion of the house of Orange, to
which the States consented by a solemn act. But the
article of the exclusion raised a great clamour in Holland :
it was insinuated to be suggested to Cromwell by De Witt ;
and the pensionary and his friends found it difficult to carry
points absolutely necessary for the service of the people.
The clergy too began to meddle with affairs of state in
their pulpits ; and, instead of instructing the people how
to serve God, were for directing their superiors how to
govern their subjects. But his firmness got the better of
these difficulties ; and so far overcame all prejudices, that
when the time of his high office was expired, he was una-
nimously continued in it, by a resolution of the States,
Sept. 15, 1663.
He seemed now to have vanquished even Envy herself.
In all difficult cases, his ministry was employed : and when
the prince of East-Friesland quarrelled with his subjects,
he was put at the head of the deputation to terminate the
disputes. When war with England, alter the king's resto-
ration, became necessary, he was one of the deputies that
prevailed on the states of Guelder and Overyssel to furnish
their quota : he was appointed one of the commissioners
for the direction of the navy, and made such vigorous dis-
positions, that he had a fleet in much better condition,
and more ready for sea, than the admirals themselves ima-
gined possible ; though naval affairs were quite new to
him. When it was thought expedient, after Opdam's
defeat and death, that some of their own deputies should
D E W I T T. 3*
command the fleet, he was one of those three that were
put in commission. When he came on board, the fleet
was shut up in the Texel, and, in order to secure the out-
ward-bound East India fleet, it was necessary for it to put
to sea ; which, as the wind then stood, the sailors declared
impossible. It was the received doctrine, that there were
but 10 points of the compass from which the wind could
carry ships out, and that 22 were against them. The
pensionary was alone of another opinion ; and, as he was
a great mathematician, soon discovered the falsity of this
notion : he discovered, that there were in reality no less
than 28 points for them, and but four against them. He
engaged to carry one of their greatest ships through the
Spaniard's-gat with the wind at S. S. W. which he per-
formed Aug. 16, 1665; the greatest part of the fleet fol-
lowed him without the least accident, and the passage has
since been called Witt's-diep. They met with a dreadful
storm on the coast of Norway, which lasted two days : De
Witt remained upon deck all the time, never changed his
cloaths, nor took any refreshment, but in common with
the men ; and, when he saw a want of hands, obliged his
officers to work by his own example. He wrote a plain
and accurate relation of all that happened during the ex-
pedition, and at his return verified every article of this
account so fully to the States, that they gave him solemn
thanks for his good services, and offered him a consider-
able present, which, however, he declined to accept.
When the famous battle in 1666 was fought between the
English and Dutch for three days, he was sent by the
States to take a full account of the affair ; and he drew up
one from the best authorities he could obtain, which is
justly esteemed a master-piece in its kind, and a proof of
his being as capable of recording great actions as of
achieving them. In 1667, finding a favourable conjunc-
ture for executing the great design of the warm repub-
licans, he established the perpetual edict, by which the
office of stacltholder was for ever abolished, and the liberty
of Holland, as it was supposed, fixed on an eternal basis.
In 1672, when the prince of Orange was elected captain
and admiral-general, he abjured the stadtholdership. A
tumult happened at Dort, and the people declared they
would have the prince for stadtholder; to which place he
came in person on their invitation, and accepted the office.
Most of the other towns and provinces followed the ex~
VOL. XII, D
54 D K W 1 T T.
ample ; and seditions arose from these pretences, that the
De Witts plundered the state, and were enemies to the
house of Orange. The pensionary begged his dismission
from the post; which was granted, wiih thanks tor his
faithful services. He did not affect business, when he saw
it was no longer in his power to benefit the public ; and
he deplored in secret the misfortunes of his country, which,
from the highest prosperity, fell, as it were, all at once to
the very brink of ruin. The invasion of the French, their
rapid progress, their own intestine divisions, spread every
where terror and confusion ; and the prince of Orange's
party heightened these confusions, in order to ruin the De
Witts. The mob were encouraged to pull down a house,
in which the pensionary was supposed to lie sick ; an at-
tempt was made to assassinate the two brothers on the same
day, in different places ; the count de Monthas, who had
married their sister, was ordered to be arrested in his camp
as a traitor, though he had behaved with the greatest
bravery. Cornelius De Witt, on the accusation of Tick-
laer, a barber, of a design of poisoning the prince, was
imprisoned and condemned to exile, though his judges
could not declare him guilty. The same ignominious
wretch persuaded the people, that he would be rescued
out of prison ; upon which they instantly armed, and sur-
rounded the place, where it unfortunately happened the
pensionary was with his brother. They broke open the
doors, insisted on their walking down, and barbarously
murdered them. They carried their dead bodies to the
gallows, where they hung the pensionary a foot higher
than his brother ; afterwards mangling their bodies, cut
their cloaths in a thousand pieces, and sent them about
the country, as trophies of conquest ; and some of them,
it is said, cut out large pieces of their flesh, which they
broiled and ate.
Thus fell this zealous patron of the glory and liberty
of his native country, in his 47th year ; the greatest genius
of his time, and the ablest politician in war as well as peace.
He was a frank sincere man, without fraud or artifice,
unless his silence might be thought so. Sir Wrilliam
Temple, who was well acquainted with his character,
speaks of him, on various occasions, with the utmost es-
teem, and with the highest testimonies of praise and ad-
miration. He observes, that when he was at the head of
the government, h« differed nothing in his manner of living
D E WITT. 35
from an ordinary citizen. When he made visits, he
was attended only by a single footman ; and on common
occasions he was frequently seen in the streets without any
servant at all. His office, for the first ten years, brought
him in little more than 300/. and in the latter part of his
life not above 700/. per annum. He refused a gift of
10,000/. from the States, because he thought it a bad pre-
cedent in the government. His fortune was much inferior
to what, in our times, we see commonly raised by an under-
clerk in a high office. With great reason, therefore, sit
William Temple, speaking of his death, observes, that he
" deserved another fate, and a better return from his
country, after eighteen years spent in their ministry,
without any care of his entertainments or ease, and little
or his fortune. A man of unwearied industry, inflexible
constancy, sound, clear, and deep understanding, and un-
tainted integrity ; so that, whenever he was blinded, it
was by the passion he had for that which he esteemed the
good and interest of his state. This testimony is justly
due to him from all that were well acquainted with him ;
and is the more willingly paid, since there can be as little
interest to flatter, as honour to reproach the dead." Hume,
with equal truth, describes him as " a minister equally emi-
nent Cor greatness of mind, for capacity, and for integrity.
Though moderate in his private deportment, he knew how
to adopt in his public councils that magnanimity winch
suits the minister of a great state. It was ever his maxim,
that no independent government should yield to another
any evident point of reason or equity ; and that all such
concessions, so far from preventing war, served no other
purpose than to provoke fresh claims and insults."
Besides the works already mentioned, he wrote a book
containing those maxims of government, upon which he
acted ; which will be a never-fading monument to his im-
mortal memory. It shews the true and genuine principles
of policy, on which alone it is possible to erect an adminis-
tration proiitable at home, and which must command re-
spect abroad. On the one hand are pointed out the mis-
chiefs of tyranny, arbitrary power, authority derived from
faction, monopolies, and every other species of corruption.
On the other hand is explained the true method of ac-
quiring and securing power, riches, peace, and of ma-
naging and extending trade ; of supporting liberty Avithout
running into licentiousness, and of administering the com*
t> 2
36 D E W I T T.
momvealth in such a manner, as that the possessors of
power -shall not be either envied or feared. A translation
of it from the original Dutch, entitled " The true interest
and political maxims of the republic of Holland," has been
printed in London; to the last edition of which, in 1740,
are prefixed historical memoirs of the illustrious brothers
Cornelius and John De Witt, by the late John Campbell,
esq. from whom the original compilers of this work re-
ceived the above particulars.1
DEZALLIKR (D'ARGEXVILLE, ANTONY-JOSEPH), a
French naturalist and biographer, was born at Paris in the
beginning of the last century. He was the son of a book-
seller of Paris, and was educated in his native city, but a
considerable time after this he spent in foreign countries,
particularly in Italy, where he formed a taste for the fine
arts. He became acquainted with men of science in va-
rious parts of Europe, and was elected in 1750 member
of the royal society in London, and of the academy of
sciences at Montpelier. He wrote some considerable ar-
ticles, particularly those of gardening and hydrography,
in the French Encyclopaedia; and in 1747 he published,
in quarto, " La Theorie et la Pratique du Jardinage ;"
and in 1757, " Conchyliologie, ou Traite sur la nature des
Coquillages," 2 vols. 4to, reprinted 1757, and accounted
his most valuable work. His arrangement is made from
the external form of shells, according to which he classes
them as univalve, bivalve, and multivalve ; he then divides
them again into shells of the sea, of fresh water, and of
the lands. He also gave an account of the several ge-
nera of animals that inhabit shells. He published also
" L'Orycthologie ; ou Traite des pierres, des mineraux,
des metaux et autres Fossiles," 1755, 4to. But the work
by which he is best known and most valued by us, is what
we have frequent occasion to quote, his " Abreg6 de la
Vie de quelques Peintres celebres," 3 vols. 4to, and 4 vols.
Svo, a work of great labour and taste, although not abso-
lutely free from errors. He practised engraving sometimes
himself. He died at Paris in 1766 ; and his son continued
the biography began by the father by the addition of two
volumes, containing the lives of architects and sculptors. *
1 First edit, of this Diet, supplementary volume. — Universal Hist. — His-
tory of the United Provinces, &c.
a Diet. Hist,
D I A G O R A S. 37
D.IACONUS PAULUS. See PAUL the DEACON.
DIAGORA8, a native of the island of Melos, surnamed
the ATHEIST, lived in the ninety-first olympiad, or 412
B. C. and was a follower of Democrittis. Having been
sold as a captive in his youth, he \vas redeemed by De-
mocritus for 10,000 drachmas, and instead of being made
his servant, was trained up in the study of philosophy, for
which he had probably showed a capacity. At the same
time he cultivated polite learning, and distinguished him-
s6ii in the art of lyric poetry, which was so successfully
practised about that period by Pindar, Bacchylis, and
others. His name has been transmitted to posterity as an.
avowed advocate for the rejection of all religious belief;
and although Clemens Alexandrinus and others have
taken pains to exculpate him, by pleading that his only
intention was to ridicule heathen superstitions, the general
voice of antiquity has so strongly asserted his atheistical
principles, that we cannot refuse credit to the report with-
out allowing too much indulgence to historical scepticism.
It is easy to conceive, that one who had studied philosophy
in the school of Democritus, who admitted no other prin-
ciples in nature than atoms and a vacuum, would reject
the whole doctrine of Deity as inconsistent with the system
which he had embraced. And it is expressly asserted by
ancient writers, that when, in a particular instance, he saw
a perjured person escape punishment *, he publicly de-
clared his disbelief of divine providence, and from that
time not oqly spoke with ridicule of the gods, and of all
religious ceremonies, but even attempted to lay open the
sacred mysteries, and to dissuade the people from sub-
mitting to the rites of initiation. These public insults
offered to religion brought upon him the general hatred of
the Athenians ; who, upon his refusing to obey a summons
to appear in the courts of judicature, issued forth a decree,
which was inscribed upon a brazen column, offering the
reward of a talent to any one who should kill him, or two
talents to any one who should bring him alive before the
* The story is thus told : Diagoras work as his own. Diagoras, consiclcr-
delighted in making verses, and had ing that he who had injured him had
composed a poem, which a certain poet not only escaped unpunished for his
had stolen from him. He sued the theft and perjury, but also acquired
thief; who swore he was not guilty of glory thereby, concluded that there
the crime, and soon after he gained a was no providence, nor any gods, and
great reputation by publishing that wrote some books to prove it.
38 D I A G O R A S.
judges. This happened in the ninety-first olympiad. From
that time, Diagoras became a fugitive in Attica, and at
last fled to Corinth, where he died. It is said, that being
on board a ship during a storm, the terrified sailors began
to accuse themselves for having received into their ship a
man so infamous for his impiety ; upon which Diagoras
pointed out to them other vessels, which were near them
on the sea in equal danger, and asked them, whether they
thought that each of these ships also carried a Diagoras ?
and that afterwards, when a friend, in order to convince
him that the gods are not indifferent to human affairs, de-
sired him to observe how many consecrated tablets were
hung up in the temples in grateful acknowledgment of the
escapes from the dangers of the sea, he said, in reply,
" True ; but here are no tablets of those who have suf-
fered shipwreck, and perished in the sea." But there is
reason to suspect that these tales are mere inventions ; for
similar stories have been told of Diogenes the Cynic, and
others. l
DIAZ (BARTHOLOMEW), a distinguished Portuguese na-
vigator, is celebrated as the discoverer of the Cape of
Good Hope. He was employed by king John II. of Por-
tugal, on a voyage of discovery on the coast of Africa, and
in 1486 he had traced nearly a thousand miles of m-w
country, and after encountering violent tempests, and
losing the company of the victualling vessel which attended
him, he came in sight of the cape that terminates Africa ;
but the state of his ship, and the untoward disposition of
his crew, obliged him to return without going round it.
He named it, on account of the troubles which he had
undergone in the voyage, " Cabo Tormentoso," or the
" Stormy Cape." He returned to Lisbon in December
1487, and from his report the sovereign foresaw that the
course to the Indies was now certainly pointed out, and
he denominated the newly-discovered point " Cabo del
Bueno Esperanza," or the " Cape of Good Hope." '
DIAZ, or DIAZIUS (JOHN), one of the early martyrs
to the protestant religion, was born at Cnenza, in Spain,
in the beginning of the sixteenth century, and studied
theology at Paris, where, from reading the books of Luther
and his disciples, he soon embraced his doctrines. This
circumstance rendering it necessary to quit Paris, he went
1 Gen. Diet. — Moreri. — Brueker. * Robertson's Hist, of America.
DIAZ. 39
to Calvin at Geneva, with whom, and with Budeus and
Crispinus, he studied for some time. He then went to
Strasburgh, and became known to Bucer, who, perceiving
his promising talents, obtained leave of the council of that
town to take him with him to the conference at Ratisbon.
Diaz was no sooner arrived there, than he found out Mal-
venda, whom he had known at Paris, who employed the
strongest arguments he could muster to induce him to re-
turn into the bosom of the church ; but Diaz persevered
in his opinions. Soon after, having got\e to Nenbnrg, to
attend the correcting of a book of Bucer's which was then
at press, he was surprised to see arrive at that place one of
his brothers named Alfonsus, an advocate at the court of
Rome, who, having heard of his apostacy, as he termed
it, immediately set out in hopes to reclaim him, but was
not more successful than Malvenda. Instead, however, of
lamenting what he might term the obduracy of his brother,
he laid a plan against his life ; to execute which base pur-
pose, he feigned to return home, and went as far as
Augsburg; but the day following he returned, accom.-
pauied by a guide, and at break of day was again at Neu-
burg. His first business was to seek his brother ; accord-
ingly he went straight to his lodgings with his companion,
who was disguised as a courier, and waited at the foot of
the staircase, while the accomplice went up to the apart-
ment of Diaz, for whom he pretended he had letters to
deliver from his brother. Dia/ being roused from sleep,
the pretended messenger delivered lam the letters, and
while he read them, made a fatal stroke at his head with
an axe which he had concealed under his cloak, and fled
with his instigator Alfonsus. The report of this murder,
which happened March 27, 1546, excited great indigna-
tion at Augsburg and elsewhere ; the assassins were vi-
gorously pursued, were taken, and imprisoned atlnspruck;
but the emperor Charles V, put a stop to the proceedings
under pretext that he would take cognizance himself of the
affair at the approaching diet. This did not, however,
appease the conscience of Alfonsus, the fratricide, who
put an end to the torments of reflection by hanging him-
self. A particular history of the whole transaction was
published in Latin under the name of Claude Senarclaeus,
8vo, which is very scarce. Jt was addressed to Bucer,
under the title " Historia vera de morte J. Diazii." Diaz
was the author of a " Summary of the Christian Religion,"
40 DICEARCHUS.
of which a French translation was published at Lyons,
1562, 8vo. l
DICEARCHUS, a disciple of Aristotle, was born at
Messina in Sicily. He was a philosopher, historian, and
mathematician, and composed a great many books on va-
rious subjects, and in all sciences, which were much
esteemed. Cicero speaks frequently in the highest terms
both of the man and his works. Geography was one of
his principal studies; and we have a tieatise, or rather a
fragment of a treatise, of his still extant upon that sub-
ject. It was first published by Henry Stephens in 1589,
with a Latin version and notes; and afterwards by Hud-
son at Oxford in 1703, among the " Veteris geographiae
scriptures Graecos minores, &c." Pliny tells us that " Di-
cearchus, a man of extraordinary learning, had received a
commission from some princes to take the height of the
mountains, and found Pelion, the highest of them, to be
1250 paces perpendicular, from whence he concluded it
to bear no proportion which could affect the rotundity of
the globe." He published some good discourses upon po-
litics and government ; and the work he composed con-
cerning the republic of Lacedaemon was thought so ex-
cellent, that it was read every year before the youth in
the assembly of the ephori. As a philosopher, his tenets
have little to recommend them* He held that there is no
such thing as mind, or soul, either in man or beast ; that
the principle by which animals perceive and act, is equally
diffused throngh the body, is inseparable from it, and ex-
pires with it ; that the human race always existed ; that it
is impossible to foretel future events ; and that the know-
ledge of them would be an infelicity. 2
DICK (Sm ALEXANDER), bart. of Prestonfield, an emi-
nent physician, the third son of sir William Cunningham,
of Caprington, by dame Janet Dick, the only child and
heiress of sir James Dick, of Prestonfield, near Edinburgh,
was born Oct. 23, 1703. While his two elder brothers
succeeded to ample fortunes, the one as heir to his father,
and the other to his mother, the provision made for a
younger son was not sufficient to enable him to live in a
manner agreeable to his wishes without the aid of his own
exertions. After, therefore, receiving a classical educa-
tion at Edinburgh, he studied medicine at Leyden under
1 Moreri. — Freheri Theatrum.— - Verheiden Effigies, See.— Saxii Onomast.
* Gen, Diet,— Moreri,— Saxii Onomast.— Brucker.
DICK. 41
the celebrated Boerhaave, and obtained the degree of
M. D. from that univerc ; Aug. 31, 1725. On this oc-
casion he published an i", > -,gural dissertation, " De Epi-
lepsia," which did him mucti credit. Not long after this
he returned to Scotland, and had the honour of receiving
a second diploma for the degree of M. D. conferred upon
him by the university of St. Andrew's, Jan. 23, 1727, and
Nov. 7 of the same year, was admitted a fellow of the royal
college of physicians of Edinburgh. But after Dr. Cun-
ningham (for at that time he bore the name of his father)
had received these distinguishing marks of attention at
home, he was still anxious to obtain farther knowledge of
his profession by the prosecution of hi-, studies abroad.
With this intention he made the tour of Europe ; and al-
though medicine was uniformly his first and principal ob-
ject, yet other arts and sciences were not neglected.
On his return to Britain, Mr. Hooke, a gentleman with
whom he had formed an intimate friendship, and who pos-
sessed a large fortune in Pembrokeshire, persuaded him
to settle as a physician in that country, where for several
years he practised with great reputation and success. But
his immediate elder brother, sir William Dick, dying with-
out issue, he succeeded to the family estate and title, as-
suming from that time the name and arms of Dick ; and
very soon after fixed his residence at the family-seat of
Preston-field. Although he now resolved to relinquish
medicine as a lucrative profession, yet, from inclination,
he still continued to cultivate it as an useful science. With
this view he supported a friendly and intimate correspond-
ence with the physicians of Edinburgh, and paid parti-
cular attention to the business of the ro\ al college, among
the list of whose members his name had been enrolled at a
very early period of his life. In 1756 he was unanimously
chosen president of the college, and was afterwards elected
to that office for seven years successively. He not only
contributed liberally towards the building of a hall for their
accommodation, but strenuously exerted himself in pro^
moting every undertaking in which he thought the honour
or interest of the college was concerned. He was also
long distinguished as a zealous and active member of the
philosophical society of Edinburgh, and when the present
royal society of Edinburgh received its charter, the name
of sir Alexander Dick stood enrolled as one of the first in
the list. For many years he discharged the duties of a
*2 DICK.
faithful tfnd vigilant manager of die royal iniirinnrj* of
Kdinburgh ; and took on all occasions an active share in
promoting every public and useful undertaking. When
the seeds of the true rhubarb were first introduced into
Britain by the late Dr. Mounsey of Petersburg!), he not
only bestowed great attention on the culture of the plant,
but also on the drying of the root, and preparing it for the
market. His success in these particulars was so great,
that the society in London for the encouragement of arts
and commerce, presented him, in 1774, with a gold medal,
which is inscribed " To sir Alexander Dick, bart. for the
best specimen of British rhubarb." While steady in the
pursuit of every object which engaged his attention, his
conduct in every transaction through life was marked with
the strictest honour and integrity. This, disposition, and
this conduct, not only led him to be constant and warm in
his friendship to those with whom he lived in habits of
intimacy, but also procured him the love and esteem of
ail who really knew him. Notwithstanding the keenness
and activity of his temper, yet its striking features were
mildness and sweetness. He was naturally disposed to put
the most favourable construction on the conduct and ac-
tions of others, which was both productive of much hap-
piness to himself, and of general benevolence to mankind.
And that serenity and cheerfulness which accompanied his
conduct through life, were the attendants even of his last
moments ; for on Nov. 10, 1785, he died with a smile
upon his countenance, lamented as a great loss to society. '
DICKINSON (EDMUND), a celebrated physician and
chemist, was son of William Dickinson, rector of Apple-
ton in Berkshire, and born therein 16'_M-. He acquired
his classical learning at Eton, and from thence, in 1612,
was sent to Merton-college in Oxford. Having regularly
taken the degrees in arts, he entered on the study of me-
dicine, and took both the degrees in that faculty. In l(i,55
he published his " Delphi Phcenicizantes, *kc." a very
learned piece, in which he attempts to prove that the
Greeks borrowed the story of the Pythian Apollo, and all
that rendered the oracle of Delphi famous, from the holy
scriptures, and the book of Joshua in particular *. Tins
* Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, vol. II. — Boswell's Life of
Johnson, and Journey.
* It must not b* concealed that real author of the above-tnentionH
Anthony Wood has suggested, tbat the work was Henry Jacob, a prudigy <if
DICKINSON. 43
work procured him much reputation both at home and
abroad; and Sheldon (afterwards archbishop of Canter-
bury) is said to have had so high a sense of its value, that
he would have persuaded the author to have applied him-
self to divinity, and to have taken orders ; but he was
already fixed in his choice. To this treatise were added,
1. " Diatriba de Nore in Italiam adventu ; ejusque nomi-
nibus ethnicis." 2. " De origine Druidum." 3. Orati-
uncula pro philosophia liberanda," which had been spoken,
by him in the hall of Merton college, July 1653, and was
the first tiling which made him known among the learned.
4. " /acharias Bogan Edmundo Dickinson ;" a letter filled
with citations from the most ancient authors in support of
his opinions, and the highest commendations of his learn-
ing, industry, and judgment. The " Delphi Phoenici-
zantes," &c. came out first at Oxford in 1655, 12mo, and was
reprinted at Francfort, 1669, 8vo, and at Rotterdam in
1691, by Crenius, in the first volume of his " Fasciculus
dissertation uo> Historico-critico-philologicarum," 1 2 mo.
Afterwards Dr. Dickinson applied himself to chemistry
with much assiduity; and, about 1662, received a visit
from Theodore Mundanus, an illustrious adept of France,
who encouraged him mightily to proceed in the study of
alchemy, and succeeded in persuading him of the pos-
sibility of the transmutation of metals, a credulity for which,
he probably paid first in his purse, and afterwards in his
reputation. At length he left his college, and took a
house in the High-street, Oxford, for the sake of follow-
ing the business of his profession more conveniently. In.
li>69 he married for the first time; but his wife dying
in child- bed, and leaving him a daughter, he some time
after married a second, who also died in a short time. His
wives were both gentlewomen of good families.
On the death of Dr. Willis, which happened in 1684,
Dickinson removed to London, and took his house in St.
Martin's- lane ; where, soon after recovering Henry Ben-
net, earl of Arlington, lord chamberlain to Charles II.
when all hopes of recovery were past, that nobleman intro-
learning, but a careless man, who suf- the character of Dr. Dickinson, and
fered others to obtain that f.iine which evince him to be altogether destitute of
belonged to him, by surrendering to integrity. He, however, had the r«-
their use his laborious productions, potation of being the author, and de-
But though the evidence ad'luced by rived benefit from the opinion that was
Wood i« s roug ii ie not sufficient ta etitf r'aine.l in consequence of it, of
determine a point which must impeach his learning.
44 DICKINSON.
cluced him to the king, who made him one of his physicians
in ordinary, and physician to his household. As that
prince was a lover of chemistry, and a considerable pro-
ficient, Dickinson grew into great favour at court; which
favour lasted to the end of Charles's reign, and that of his
successor James, who continued him in hoth his places.
In 1636 he published in Latin his epistle to Theodore
Mundanus, and also his answer, translated from the French
into Latin : for, in 1679, this chemist had paid him a
second visit, and renewed his acquaintance. The title of
it in English is, " An Epistle of E. D. to T. M. an adept,
concerning the quintessence of the philosophers, and the
true system of physics, together with certain queries con-
cerning the materials of alchemy. To which are annexed
the answers of Mundanus," 8vo. After the abdication of
his unfortunate master, he retired from practice, being old,
and much afflicted with the stone, but continued his studies.
He had long meditated a system of philosophy, not founded
on hypothesis, or even experiment, but, chiefly deduced
from principles collected from the Mosaic history. Part of
this laborious work, when he had almost finished it, was
burnt; but, not discouraged by this accident, he began it
a second time, and did not discontinue it, till he had com-
pleted the whole. It came out in 1702 under the title of
" Physica vetus et vera ; sive tractatus de naturali veritate
hexoemeri Mosaici, &c." In this he attempts, from the
scriptural account of the creation, to explain the manner
in which the world was formed. Assuming, as the ground
of his theory, the atomic doctrine, and the existence
of an immaterial cause of the concourse of indivisible
atoms, he supposes the particles of matter agitated by a
double motion ; one gentle and transverse, of the particles
among themselves, whence elementary corpuscles are
formed ; the other circular, by which the whole mass is
revolved, and the regions of heaven and earth are pro-
duced. By the motion of the elementary corpuscles of
different magnitude and form, he supposes the different
bodies of nature to have been produced, and attempts,
upon this plan, to describe the process of creation through
each of the six days. He explains at large the formation
of human nature, shewing in what manner, by means of a
plastic seminal virtue, man became an animated being.
This theory, though founded upon conjecture, and loaded
with unphilosophical fictions, the author not only pretends
DICK INS O N. 45
to derive from the Mosaic narrative, but maintains to have
been consonant to the most ancient Hebrew traditions.
The use which this theorist makes of the doctrine of atoms,
shews him to have been wholly unacquainted with the true
notion of the ancients on this subject; and indeed the
whole work seems to have b§en the offspring of a con-
fused imagination, rather than of a sound judgment. Bur-
net, who attempted the same design afterwards, disco-
vered far more learning and ability. This work, however,
was in such demand as to be printed again at Rotterdam
in 1703, in 4to, and at Leoburg, 1705, 12mo.
Besides the pieces above mentioned, he is supposed to
have been the author of " Parabola philosophica, seu iter
Philareti ad montem Mercurii." He left behind him also
in MS. a Latin treatise on the Grecian games, which was
annexed to an account of his life and writings, published
at London in 1739, 8vo, by the Rev. W. N. Blomberg,
rector of Fulham. He died of the stone, April 1707, being
then in his eighty-third year, and was interred in the
church of St. Martin in the Fields. l
D1CKSON (DAVID), an eminent divine of the church of
Scotland, the son of John Dickson, a merchant in Glas-
gow, was born about 1583, and educated at the university
of his native city. After taking the degree of M. A. he
was admitted regent, or professor of philosophy, an office
which, at that time, somewhat after the manner of the
foreign universities, was held only for a term of years (in
this case, of eight years) after which these regents re-
ceived ordination. Accordingly, in 1618, Mr. Dickson
was ordained minister of the town of Irvine, which prefer-
ment he held about twenty-three years, and became a very
popular preacher. Although always inclined to the pres-
byterian form of church-government, he had shewn no
great reluctance to the episcopal forms until the passing of,
what are known, in the ecclesiastical history of Scotland,
by the name of the Perth articles ; five articles, which en-
joined kneeling at the sacrament; private adtninistratioa
of it in extreme sickness ; private baptism, if necessary ;
episcopal confirmation ; and the observation of Epiphany,
Christmas, £,c. These, however harmless they may ap-
pear to an English reader, were matters not only of ob-
jection, but abhorrence to a great proportion of the Scotch
1 Life, by Blomberj.— Biog. Brit.— Ath, Ox. TO!. II. and Wood's Life, 1772^
p. 172.
46 D I C K S O N.
clergy; and Mr. Dickson having expressed his dislike in
strong terms, and probably in the pulpit, was suspended
from his pastoral charge, and ordered to remove to Turriff,
in the north of Scotland, within twenty days. After much
interest, however, had been employed, for he had many
friends among persons of rank, who respected his talents
and piety, he was allowed in 1623 to return to Irvine.
As during the progress of the rebellion in England, the
power of the established church decayed also in Scotland,
Dickson exerted himself with considerable effect in the
restoration of the presbyterian form of church-government,
and there being a reluctance to this change on the part
of the learned divines of Aberdeen, he went thither in
1637, and held solemn disputations with Doctors Forbes,
Barron, Sibbald, &c. of that city, which were after-
wards published. In 1641 he was removed from Irvine
to be professor of divinity in the university of Glasgow;
and in 1643 he assisted in drawing up some of those
formularies which are contained in the " Confession of
Faith," a book which is still subscribed by the clergy of
Scotland. The " Directory for public worship," and
" The sum of saving knowledge," were from his pen, as-
sisted, in the former, by Henderson and Calderwood ; and
in the latter, by Durham. Some years after, probably
about 164S, he was invited to the elmir of professor of di-
vinity at Edinburgh, which he held until the restoration,
when he was ejected for refusing the oath of supremacy.
He did not survive this long, dying in 1662. He was es-
teemed one of the ablest and most useful men of his time,
in the promotion of the church of Scotland as now esta-
blished, and his writings have been accounted standard
books with those who adhere to her principles as originally
laid down. His principal works are, I. " A Commentary
on the Hebrews," 8vo. 2. " On Matthew," 4to. 3. " On
the Psalms," 1655, 3 vols. 12mo. 4. " On the Epistles,1'
Latin and English, folio and 4to. 5. " Therapeutica Sa-
cra, or Cases of Conscience resolved," Latin 4to, English
8vo. 6. "A treatise on the Promises," Dublin, 1630,
1 2tno. Besides these he wrote some pieces of religious
poetry for the common people, and left several MSS. As
he had had a considerable hand in the " Confession of
Faith," he lectured, when professor of divinity, on that
book, the heads of which lectures were afterwards pub-
lished, as he had delivered them, in Latin, under the title
D I C K S O N. 47
*' Prelectiones in Confessionem Fidei," folio ; but they
have been since translated and often reprinted, under the
title of " Truth's Victory over Error," one of the most
useful, and now, we believe, the only one of his works
which continues still popular in Scotland. Prefixed is a
life of the author by Woodrovv, the ecclesiastical histo-
rian, from which we have extracted the above particulars.1
DICTYS CttETENSIS, is the supposed name of a very
ancient historian, who, serving under Idomeneus, a king of
Crete, in the Trojan war, wrote the history of that expe-
ilition in nine books ; and Tzetzes tells us, that Homer
formed his Iliad upon his plan : but the Latin history of
Dictys, which we have at present, is altogether spurious.
There are two anonymous writers still extant, who pretend
to have written of the Trojan war previously to Homer,
one of whom goes under the name of Dictys Cretensis, the
other that of Dares Phrygius, of which last we have already
taken some notice. Before the history of Dictys there are
two prefaces ; the first of which relates that Dictys wrote
six volumes of the Trojan war in the Phoenician characters ;
and in his old age, after he was returned to his own
country, ordered them, a little before his death, to be
buried with him in a leaden chest or repository, which was
accordingly done ; that, however, after many ages, and
under the reign of Nero, an earthquake happened at Cnos-
«us, a city of Crete, which uncovered Dictys's sepulchre,
and exposed the chest ; that the shepherds took it up, and
expecting a treasure, opened it; and that, finding this his-
tory, they sent it to Nero, who ordered it to be translated,
or rather transcharactered, from Phoenician into Greek.
It has been inferred from this story that the history was
forged by some of Nero's flatterers, as he always affected
a fondness for any thing relating to Trojan antiquities.
The other preface to Dictys is an epistle of L. Septimius,
the Latin translator, in which he inscribes it to Arcadius
Kuffinus, who was consul in the reign of Constantino ;
and tells nearly the same story of the history we have
already related. That the present Latin Dictys had a
Greek original, now lost, appears from the numerous
Grecisms with which it abounds ; and from the literal cor-
respondence of many passages with the Greek fragments
<it one Dictys cited by ancient authors. The Greek ovi-
1 Life ul>i jupra.
48 D I C T Y S.
ginal was very probably, as we have just hinted, forged
under the name of Dictys, a traditionary writer on the
subject, in the reign of Nero. The best editions of Dictys
and Dares Phrygius, are that of madame Dacier, Paris,
1680, 4to, and that of Smids, 4to and 8vo, Anist. 1702, 2
volumes. l
DIDEROT (DENYS), of the academy of Berlin, an emi-
nent French writer, was the son of a cutler, and was bora
at Langres, in 1713. The Jesuits, with whom he went
through a course of study, were desirous of having him in
their order, and one of his uncles designing him for a ca-
nonry which he had in his gift, made him take the ton-
sure. But his father, seeing that he was not inclined to
be either a Jesuit or a canon, sent him to Paris to prose-
gute his studies. He then placed him with a lawyer, to
whose instructions young Diderot paid little attention, but
employed himself in general literature, which not coin-
ciding with the views of his father, he stopped the remit-
tance of his pecuniary allowance, and seemed for some
time to have abandoned him. The talents of the young
man, however, supplied him with a maintenance, and
gradually made him known. He had employed his mind
on physics, geometry, metaphysics, ethics, belles-lettres,
from the time he began to read with reflection, and al-
though a bold and elevated imagination seemed to give him
a turn for poetry, he neglected it for the more serious
sciences. He settled at an early period at Paris, where
the natural eloquence which animated his conversation
procured him friends and patrons. What first gave him
reputation among a certain class of readers, unfortu-
nately for France, too numerous in that country, was
a little collection of " Pensees philosophiques," reprinted
afterwards under the title of " Etrennes aux esprits-forts.'*
This book appeared in 1746, l2mo. The adepts of the
new philosophy compared it, for perspicuity, elegance,
and force of diction, to the " Pensees de Pascal." But
the aim of the two authors was widely different. Pascal
employed his talents, and erudition, which was profound
and various, in support of the truths of religion, which
Diderot attacked by all the arts of an unprincipled sophist.
The " Pens6es philosophiques," however, became a toilet-
book. The author was thought to be always in the right,
i Voss. Hist. Graec,— fabric. Bibl, Grac.— Saxii OnOmasU
DIDEROT. 49
because he always dealt in assertions. Diderot was more
usefully employed in 1746, in publishing a " Dictionnaire
universelle de Medecine," with Messrs. Eidous and Tous-
saint, in G vols. folio. Not that this compilation, says his
biographer, is without its defects in many points of view,
or that it contains no superficial and inaccurate articles;
but it is not without examples of deep investigation ; and
the work was well received. A more recent account, how-
ever, informs us that this was merely a translation of Dr.
James's Medical Dictionary, published in this country in
1743; and that Diderot was next advised to translate
Chambers' s Dictionary ; but instead of acting so inferior a
part, he conceived the project of a more extensive under-
taking, the "Dictionnaire Encyclopedique." So great a
monument not being to be raised by a single architect,
D'Alembert, the friend of Diderot, shared with him the
honours and the dangers of the enterprise, in which they
were promised the assistance of several literati, and a va-
riety of artists. Diderot took upon himself alone the de-
scription of arts and trades, one of the most important
parts, and most acceptable to the public. To the par-
ticulars of the several processes of the workmen, he some-
times added reflections, speculations, and principles
adapted to their elucidation. Independently of the part
of arts and trades, this chief of the encyclopedists fur-
nished in the different sciences a considerable number of
articles that were wanting ; but even his countrymen are
inclined to wish that in a work of such a vast extent, and
of such general use, he had {earned to compress his mat-
ter, and had been less verbose, less of the dissertator, and
less inclined to digressions. He has also been censured for
employing needlessly a scientific language, and for having
recourse to metaphysical doctrines, frequently unintelli-
gible, which occasioned him to be called the Lycophron.
of philosophy ; for having introduced a number of de-
finitions incapable of enlightening the ignorant, and which
he seems to have invented for no other purpose than to
have it thought that he had great ideas, while in fact, he
had not the art of expressing perspicuously and simply
the ideas of others. As to the body of the work, Diderot
himself agreed that the edifice wanted an entire repara-
tion ; and when two booksellers intended to give a new
edition of the Encyclopedic, he thus addressed them on
the subject of the faults with which it abounds: "The
VOL. XII. E
50 DIDEROT.
imperfection of this work originated in a great variety of
causes. We had not time to be very scrupulous in the
choice of the coadjutors. Among some excellent persons,
there were others weak, indifferent, and altogether bad.
Hence that motley appearance of the work, where we see
the rude attempt of a school-boy by the side of a piece
from the hand of a master ; and a piece of nonsense next
neighbour to a sublime performance. Some working for
no pay, soon lost their first fervour; others badly recom-
pensed, served us accordingly. The Encyclopedic was a
gulf into which all kinds of scribblers promiscuously threw
their contributions : their pieces were ill-conceived, and
worse digested ; good, bad, contemptible, true, false, un-
certain, and always incoherent and unequal ; the references
that belonged to the very parts assigned to a person, were
never filled up by him. A refutation is often found where
we should naturally expect a proof; and there was no exact
correspondence between the letter-press and the plates.
To remedy this defect, recourse was had to long explica-
tions. But how many unintelligible machines, for want
of letters to denote the parts !" To this sincere confes-
sion Diderot added particular details on various parts; such
as proved that there were in the Encyclopedic subjects
to be not only re-touched, but to be composed afresh ;
and this was what a new company of literati and artists un-
dertook, but have not yet completed. The first edition,
however, which had been delivering to the public from
1751 to 1767, was soon sold off, because its defects were
compensated in part by many well-executed articles, and
because uncommon pains were taken to recommend it to
the public.
The great objects which Diderot and his coadjutors had
in view when they entered upon this work, are now univer-
sally known. It has been completely proved, that their
intention was to sap the foundation of all religion ; not
directly or avowedly, for \mre-faced atheism would not then
have been suffered in France. They had engaged a very
worthy, though not very acute clergyman, to furnish the
theological articles, and while he was supporting, by the best
arguments which he could devise, the religion of his country,
Diderot and D'Alembert were overturning those arguments
under titles which properly allowed of no such disquisitions.
This necessarily produced digressions: for the greatest ge-
nius on earth could not, when writing on the laws of motion,
DIDEROT. 51
attack the mysteries of Christianity without wandering from
his subject; but that the object of these digressions might
not pass unnoticed by any class of readers, care was taken
to refer to them from the articles where the question was
discussed by the divine. That when employed in this
way, Diderot seems to write obscurely, is indeed true ;
but the obscurity is not his. His atheism was so plain,
that for the most part, D'Alembert or some other leader,
had to retouch his articles, and throw a mist over them, to
render their intention less obvious.
Diderot, who had been working at this dictionary for near
twenty years, had not received a gratuity proportionate to
his trouble and his zeal, and saw himself not long after
the publication of the last volumes, reduced to the neces-
sity of exposing his library to sale, which he pretended to
be very copious and valuable. The empress of Russia
ordered it to be bought for her at the price of fifty thousand
livres, and left him the use of it. It is said, that when
her ambassador wanted to see it, after a year or two's pay-
ments, and the visitation could be no longer put off, Di-
derot was obliged to run in a hurry through all the book-
sellers shops in Germany, to fill his empty shelves with
old volumes. He had the good fortune to save appear-
ances ; but the trick was discovered, because he had been
niggardly in his attention to the ambassador's secretary.
This, however, did not hinder him from visiting the em-
press, where he behaved in such a manner, that her ma-
jesty thought it necessary to send him back, and he com-
forted himself for this disgrace, with the idea that the
Russians were not yet ripe for the sublimity of his philo-
sophy.
In the mean time, the " Encyclopedic," which had
partly procured its editor these foreign honours and remu-
nerations, gave great offence at home. Certain positions
on government and on religion occasioned the impression
to be suspended in 1752. At that time there were no more
than two volumes of the dictionary published ; and the
prohibition of the succeeding ones was only taken off at
the end of 1753. Five new volumes then successively ap-
peared. But in 1757 a new storm arose, and the book
was suppressed. The remainder did not appear till about
ten years after ; and then was only privately distributed.
Some copies were even seized, and the printers were im-
prisoned in the Bastille. To whatever cause all these in-
B 2
52 D I D E R O T,
terruptions were imputable, Diderot did not suffer his
genius to be impeded by the difficulties that were thrown
in his way. Alternately serious and sportive, solid and
frivolous, he published at the very time he was working
on the Dictionary of Sciences, several productions which
could scarcely have been thought to proceed from an en-
cyclopedical head. His " Bijoux indiscrets," 2 vols.
12mo, are of this number — a disgusting work, even to
those young- people who are unhappily too eager after li-
centious romances. Even here a certain philosophical pe-
dantry appears, in the very passages where it is most mis-
placed ; and never is the author more aukvvard than when
he intends to display a graceful ease. The " Fils naturel,"
and the " Pere de Famille," two comedies in prose, which
appeared in 1757 and 1758, are of a superior kind ^ moral
and affecting dramas, where we see at once a nervous style
and pathetic sentiments. The former piece is a picture of
the trials of virtue, a conflict between interests and pas-
sions, wherein love and friendship play important parts.
It has been said that Diderot has borrowed it from Gol-
cloni ; if that be the case, the copy does honour to the
original ; and, with the exception of a small number of
places, where the author mixes his philosophical jargon
•with the sentiments, and some sentences out of place, the
style is affecting and natural. In the second comedy, a
tender, virtuous, and humane father appears, whose tran-
quillity is disturbed by the parental solicitudes, inspired
by the lively and impetuous passions of his children. Tin's
philosophical, moral, and almost tragical comedy, has
produced considerable effect on several theatres of Europe.
The dedication to the princess of Nassau Saarbruck, is a
little moral tract, of a singular turn, without deviating
from nature ; and proves that the author possessed a great
fund of moral sentiments and philosophical ideas. At the
end of these two pieces, published together under the title
of " Theatre de M. Diderot," are dialogues containing
profound reflections and novel views of the dramatic art.
In his plays he has endeavoured to unite the characters of
Aristophanes and Plato ; and in his reflections he some-
times displays the genius of Aristotle. This spirit of cri-
ticism is exhibited, but with too much licence, in two other
works, which made a great noise. The former appeared
in 1749, 12mo, under the title of " Letters on the blind,
for the use of those who sec." The free notions of the author
DIDEROT. 5S
in this work cost him his liberty, and he underwent a six
months imprisonment atVincennes. Having naturally strong
passions and a haughty spirit, finding himself on].a sudden
deprived of liberty, and of all intercourse with human
beings, he had like to have lost his reason ; and to prevent
this, his keepers were obliged to allow him to leave his
room, to take frequent walks, and to receive the visits of
a few literary men. J. J. Rousseau, at that time his friend,
went and administered consolation to him, which he ought
not to have forgot. The letter on the blind was followed
by another on the " deaf and dumb, for the use of those
who can hear and speak," 1751, 2 vols. 12mo. Under,
this title, the author delivered reflections on metaphysics,
on poetry, on eloquence, on music, &c. There are some
good things in this essay, mixed with others superficial
and absurd. Though he strives to be perspicuous, yet he
is not always understood, and indeed, of all "that he has
composed on abstract subjects, it has been said that he
presents a chaos on which the light shines only at intervals.
The other productions of Diderot betray the same defect
of clearness and precision, and the same uncouth emphasis
for which he has always been blamed. The principal of
them are: 1. "Principles of Moral Philosophy," 1745,
12mo, of which the abbe des Fontaines speaks well, though
it met with no great success. It was our philosopher's fate
to write a great deal, and not to leave a good book, or at
least a book well composed. 2. " History of Greece,
translated from the English of Stanyan," 1743, 3 vols.
12 mo, an indifferent translation of an indifferent book.
3. " Pieces on several mathematical subjects," 1748, 8vo.
4. " Reflections on the Interpretation of Nature," 1754,
12mo. This interpreter is very obscure. 5. " The Code
of Nature,"1 1755, I2mo, which is certainly not the code
of Christianity. 6. " The -Sixth Sense," 1752, 12mo.
7. " Of Public Education," one of that swarm of publi-
cutio. , produced by the appearance of Emilius, and the
abolition of the Jesuits ; but some of his ideas in this work
are very judicious, and would be highly useful in the exe-
cution. 8. " Panegyric on Richardson," full of nerve
and animation. 9. " Life of Seneca." This was his last
work; and ;', is one of those which may be perused with
most pleasu even while we cannot approve the judgments
be passes on beneca and other celebrated men.
54 DIDEROT.
The abb£ Barruel says that he was the author of " Sys-
teme de la Nature," which is usually given to Robinet ; and
it is certain that if he was not the author, he furnished
hints, and revised the whole. Naigeon, his friend and
disciple, collected and published his works in 15 vols. 8vo,
at Paris, 1797, containing some articles which we have
not noticed; and in 18 10 a small publication appeared, en-
titled " Diderotiana."
It is remarkable that there were moments in which Di-
derot, notwithstanding his avowed impiety, seems to have
been compelled by the force of truth, to pay homage to
the New Testament. An acquaintance found him one day
explaining it to his daughter, with all the apparent se-
riousness and energy of a believer. On expressing his
surprize, Diderot replied, " I understand your meaning ;
but after all, where is it possible to find better lessons
for her instruction ?" This from him who had given so
many lessons of a different kind, and had been a more
zealous teacher of impiety and profligacy than perhaps any
man in France, appears somewhat improbable; yet it may
coincide with a report, which is more certain, that in his
latter days he shewed some signs of contrition. In 1784
bis health began visibly to decline; and one of his domes-
tics, perceiving that his death was at no great distance,
acquainted him with his apprehensions, and addressed him
on the importance of preparing for another world. He
heard the man with attention, thanked him kindly, acknow-
ledged that his situation required seriousness, and promised
to weigh well what he had said. Some time after this
conversation he desired a priest might be brought, and
the same domestic introduced one, whom Diderot saw se-
veral times, and was preparing to make a public recanta-
tion of his errors. Condorcet, and his other philosophic
friends, now crowded about him, persuaded him that he
was cheated, that his case was not so dangerous as it was
said to be, and that he only wanted the country air to re-
store him to health. For some time he resisted their at-
tempts to bring him back to atheism, but was at last pre-
vailed upon to leave Paris; and his departure being kept
secret, he was concealed in the country till July 2, when
he died. His dead body was then secretly brought back
to Paris, and his friends eagerly spread the report that he
died suddenly on rising from the table, without the least
sign of repentance.
DIDEROT. 55
His character, from what has been said, is not very dif-
ficult to be understood. Some of his countrymen extol
his frankness, his candour, his disinterestedness, his in-
tegrity ; while others represent him as artful, interested,
and concealing iiis cunning- under a cheerful air, and some-
times >ven a rough behaviour ; which we confess appears
more probable, as the genuine result of his principles. To-
wards the laiter part of uis life he hurt himself in th.: public
opinion, by taking up too warmly the pretended ahVo-Ls he
imagined to exist against him in the " Confessions" of
his old friend J. J. Rousseau ; and by this conduct left un-
favourable impressions both of his heart and his understand-
ing. This Rousseau, whom he so much decries, praises
him in the second manuscript part of his Confessions ; but
says in one of his letters, that " though naturally kind,
i of a generous disposition, Diderot had the unhappy
;>ensity to misinterpret the speeches and actions of his
:ids; and that the most ingenuous explanations only
furnished the subtilty of his invention with new interpre-
tations against them." The enthusiasm Diderot displays in
some of his productions, appeared in the circle of his,
friends, on every topic of discourse. He spoke with ra-
pidity, with vehemence, and the turns of his phrases were
often poignant and original. It has been said, that nature
by mistake made him a metaphysician, and not a poet ; but
though he was often a poet in prose, he has left some verses
which prove him to have had but little talent for poetry. The
intrepid philosophy of which he boasted, affected always to
brave the shafts of criticism ; and his numerous censors were
unable to cure him either of his taste for a system of meta-
physics scarcely intelligible, or of his fondness for exclama-
tions and apostrophes which prevailed in his conversation and
in his writings. He married, and we are told by his friends,
was in domestic life sensible and obliging ; easily provoked,
but as easily calmed ; yielding to transient ebullitions of
temper, but generally having it under command. The
goodness or badness of his temper, however, as affecting
his relatives, is a matter of little consequence, compared
to the more extensive mischief which arose from his writings
as an infidel, and his example as a profligate. Of the lat-
ter we need no more decided proof than the extract from
one of his letters to Wilkes, published by lord Teignmouth
in his " Life of Sir William Jones." La Harpe, to whose
" Lyceum" we may refer for an impartial account of
59 DIDEROT.
Diderot, thinks very justly that the principal cause of the
success of the French infidels, in gaining readers and fol-
lowers, arose from their enlisting the passions on their side.
Such, says he, is the basis of their system, the general
spirit of their sect, and the principle of their success. The
method is not very honourable, but with a little address it
is almost sure to succeed, at least for a time, for nothing
is more easy than to pass off as a theory, a corruption which
already exists as a fashion.1
DIDOT (FRANCIS AMBROSE), an eminent French printer,
who deserves a more satisfactory article than the French
biographers have as yet enabled us to give him, was born
at Paris in 1730, and was the son of a printer and book-
seller, who provided him with an excellent classical edu-
cation before he introduced him into business. Full of
enthusiasm for the advancement of the art of printing,
young Didot determined to rival those celebrated printers,
Joachim Ibarra of Spain, and Baskerville of England, and
lived to surpass both. He soon brought his press to a state
of excellence unattained by any of his contemporaries;
and extended his skill to every branch connected with it.
Among the number of improvements perfected by his
exertions, is the construction of mills for making fine
paper, which he assisted not only by his zeal and activity,
but by pecuniary contribution. He also invented a press
by which the workman is enabled to print, equally and at
once the whole extent of a sheet ; and he was the inventor of
many other machines and instruments now commonly used
in printing offices, all which have powerfully contributed
to the modern advancement of the typographical art. The
elegant editions of the classics published by order of Louis
XIV. for the education of the Dauphin, were the produc-
tion of the Didots1 press, as well as the collection of ro-
mances called the D'Artois, in 64 vols. 18mo ; the Theatri-
cal Selections by Corneille, the works of Racine, Tele-
machus, Tasso's Jerusalem, two superb Bibles, and a
multiplicity of other inestimable works, each of which, on
its publication, seemed to make nearer approaches to per-
fection. Didot sedulously endeavoured to unite in his
family every talent auxiliary to the printing art; one of his
1 Diet. Hist. — Gleig's Supplement to the Encycl. Britannica. — Earruel's Me-
moirs of Jacobinism, vol.1, p. 169, 350, &c. — Lord Teigqinouth's Life ot
W. Jones, vol. I. p. 314.
D I D O T. 57
sons became a celebrated type-founder ; and the voice of
fame announces the superior rank which they both de-
servedly hold among the printers of the age. The fond
father delighted to observe that he was excelled by his
children ; while they dutifully ascribed their success to the
force of his instruction, and the benefit of his example.
The life of JDidot was the life of honour ; his abilities were
universally known and respected ; and the following anec-
dote will prove the goodness of his heart : in one of his
journeys to the paper mills of Anonay, he met an artist
who had introduced in France an improvement in the ap-
plication of cylinders, &c. and believing that his ingenuity
merited reward, exerted all his interest with government;
but unfortunately, when he was on the point of succeeding,
the artist died, leaving two girls in the helpless state of
infancy. Didot took the orphans in his arms, proclaimed
himself their father, and kept his word. At the age of
seventy-three, Didot read over five times, and carefully
corrected, before it was sent to the press, every sheet of
the stereotype edition of Montague, printed by his sons.
At four o'clock in the morning he was pursuing this fa-
tiguing occupation. The correctness of the text will there-
fore render this work particularly valuable among the pro-
ductions of the modern press. About eighteen months
previous to his death, he projected an alphabetical index
of every subject treated upon in Montague's Essays. He
had collected all his materials, at which he laboured un-
ceasingly ; and perhaps too strict an application to this
favourite study accelerated the death of this eminent artist
and benevolent man, which took place July 10, 1804.
His business is still successfully carried on by his sons,
Peter and Firmia Didot. The reputation of the elder
Didot was much assisted by the labours of his brother,
Peter Francis, who died in 1795, and to whom we owe
the beautiful editions of Thomas a Kempis, fol. ; of Te-
lemachus, 4 to ; the " Tableau de 1'empire Ottoman," &c.'
DIDYMUS, of Alexandria, surnamed" Bowels of Brass,'*
from his indefatigable application to study, lived in the
reign of Augustus, and is said by Seneca to have written
4000 treatises, not one of which has descended to our
times ; but some scholia on Homer are attributed to him,
xvhich Schrevelius has joined to an edition of that poet,
» Diet. Hist.
58 DIDYMUS.
Amsterdam, 1656, 2 vols. 4to, and they occur in some
other editions, but they appear to be the work of a later
author.1
DIDYMUS, of Alexandria, was an ecclesiastical writer
of the fourth century, who supplied a very important de-
fect by dint of genius and application. Jerome and Ruf-
finus assure us that though he lost his eyes at five years of
age, when he had scarcely learned to read, yet he applied
himself so earnestly to study, that he not only attained in
a high degree grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, music,
and the other arts, but even was able to comprehend some
of the most difficult theorems in mathematics. He was
particularly attached to the study of the Scriptures ; and
was selected as the most proper person to fill the chair in
the famous divinity-school at Alexandria. His high re-
putation drew a great number of scholars to him ; among
the principal of whom were Jerome, Ruffinus, Palladius,
and Isidorus. He read lectures with wonderful facility,
answered upon the spot all questions and difficulties re-
lating to the Holy Scriptures, and refuted the objections
which were raised against the orthodox faith. He was the
author of a great number of works of which Jerome has
preserved the titles in his catalogue of ecclesiastical writers;
and of many more whose titles are not known. We have
yet remaining a Latin translation of his book upon the Holy
Spirit, to be found in the works of Jerome, who was the
translator ; and which is perhaps the best treatise the
Christian world ever saw upon the subject. Whatever has
been said since that time, in defence of the divinity and
personality of the Holy Ghost, seems, in substance, to be
foand in this book. His other works extant are, a treatise
against the Manichees, in the original Greek, and " Enar-
rations upon the seven catholic epistles in Latin," and in
the Greek Chains are fragments of some of his commen-
taries. J. C. \Volff, of Hamburgh, published a large col-
lection of notes and observations of Didymus upon the Acts
of the Apostles, taken from a manuscript Greek chain, at
Oxford. See Wolfii Anecdot. Graec. 1724. Didymus
also wrote commentaries upon Origen's books of Prin-
ciples, which he defended very strenuously against all
opposers. He was a great admirer of Origen, used to con-
sider him as his master, and adopted many of his senti-
1 Vossius Hist. Grace. — Moreri. — Saxii Onomast.
D I D Y M U S. 59
ments ; on which account he was condemned by the fifth
general council. He died in the year 395, aged eighty-
five years.1
DIDYMUS, another of the name, was an eminent mu-
sician of Alexandria, and, according to Suidas, cotem-
porary in the first century with the emperor Nero, by
whom he was much honoured and esteemed. This proves
him to have been younger than Aristoxenus, and more an-
cient than Ptolemy, though some have imagined him to
have preceded Aristoxenus. He wrote upon grammar and
medicine, as well as music ; but his works are all lost, and
every thing we know at present of his barmonical doctrines
is from Ptolemy, who, by disputing, preserved them.
However, this author confesses him to have been well
versed in the canon and harmonic divisions ; and if we
may judge from the testimony, even of his antagonist, he
must have been not only an able theorist in music, but a
man of considerable learning. As this musician pre-
ceded Ptolemy, and was the first who introduced the minor
tone into the scale, and, consequently, the practical ma-
jor 3d -f, which harmonized the whole system, and pointed
out the road to counterpoint ; an honour that most critics
have bestowed on Ptolemy, he seems to have a better title
to the invention of modern harmony, or music in parts,
than Guido, who appears to have adhered, both in theory
and practice, to the old division of the scale into major
tones and limmas. " The best species of diapason," says
Doni, " and that which is the most replete with fine har-
mony, and chiefly in use at present, was invented by Didy-
mus. His method was this : after the major semitone E F
T-f, he placed the minor tone in the ratio of V°, between
F G, and afterwards the major tone •§ between G A ; but
Ptolemy, for the sake of innovation, placed the major
tone where Didymus placed the minor." Ptolemy, how-
ever, in speaking of Didymus and his arrangement, objects
to it as contrary to the judgment of the ear, which requires
the major tone below the minor. The ear certainly deter-
mines so with us, and it is therefore probable, that in
Ptolemy's time the major key was gaining ground. Upon
the whole, however, it appears that these authors only
differ in the order, not the quality of intervals.2
1 Cave. — Lardner's Works. — Dupin.— Moreri. — Milner's Cb. Hist, vol. II.
p. 250. — Saxii Onomast.
8 Burney's Hist, of Music, vol. I.— Hawkins's Ditto.
60 D I E C M A N.
DIECMAN (JOHN), a Lutheran divine, was born June
30, 1647, at Stade in the duchy of Bremen, where his fa-
ther was also a clergyman. He studied at Giessen, Jena,
and Wirtemberg, at which last university he took his mas-
ter's degree. In 1672 he finished his course of study, and
iu 1675 was appointed rector of Stade. In 1683 he was
raised to the dignity of superintendant of the duchies of
Bremen and Ferden, and about that time was honoured
with the degree of doctor of divinity by the university of
Kiel. In 1712, the war obliging him to leave Stade, he
went to Bremen ; but after three years returned, and was
re-instated in his office at Stade, where he died July 4,
1720. He wrote, 1. " De naturalismo cum aliorum, turn
maxime Joannis Bodini, ex opere ejus manuscripto anec-
doto, de abditis rerum subliinium arcanis, schediasnaa,"
Leipsic, 1684, 12mo. This is a very able answer to the
impious freedoms of Bodin (See BODIN). 2. " Specimen
glossarii Latino-theodisci." 3. " Dissertationes de spar-
sione florum." 4. " De dissensu ecclesiae orientalis et
Latinae circa purgatorium." 5. " Enneacles animadver-
sionum in diversa Joca annalium cardinalis Baronii," &c.
He wrote also various tracts in the German language, col-
lected in a volume, Hamburgh, 1709, 4to. But he is,
perhaps, better known as the publisher of an edition of
the Stade Bible, which is a revision of Luther's German
Bible. !
DIEMEN (ANTHONY VAN), a governor of the Dutch
East India settlements, was born at Kuilenburg. He went,
in early life, in a low military capacity to India, where he
was chiefly employed in writing petitions for the soldiers ;
but being afterwards promoted to a post under govern-
ment, which required some skill in accounts, he became a
merchant, and afterwards accountant-general of the Dutch
settlements in India. In 1625, he was appointed a mem-
ber of the supreme council, and in 1631 he returned to
Holland as commander of the India fleet. He remained
but a few months in Europe, and when he went back to
India many important offices devolved on him. In 1642,
he sent out two ships to explore the unknown countries to
the south, part of which, forming the southern extremity
of New Holland, was, in honour of him, distinguished by
the appellation of " Van Diemen's Land." He died in
' Moreri.
D I E M E N. 61
April 1645, having held, with much reputation, the su-
preme power in India upwards of nine years. Van Die-
men's land is an island in the form of an oblong square,
about I GO British miles long, by half that breadth, sepa-
rated by a strait, or rather channel, more than 30 leagues
wide, called, in recent maps, Bass's strait, and containing
a chain of small islands, running N. and S. from New
Holland. From the time it was originally discovered, says
capt. Cook, it had escaped all farther notice by European
navigators, till captain Furneaux touched at it in March
1773 ; but he did not know at that time that capt. Marion,
after having remained here for some time, sailed from
thence on the 10th of March, 1772. It was again visited
by captain Cook in January 1777. l
DIEMERBROECK (IsBRAND, DE), was born at Mont-
fort, in the neighbourhood of Utrecht, Dec. 13, 1609.
After taking his degree of doctor in medicine at Angers, he
went to Nimeguen in 1636, and continued there, through
that and the following years, practising during the plague,
which all that time raged with great .violence. This fur-
nished him with observations on the nature and treatment
of that disease, which he published at Amsterdam, in 1644,
4to ; but as he pursued the injudicious plan of keeping the
patients in close apartments, and gave them heating medi-
cines, his practice was probably not so successful as his
book, which has passed through many editions. In 1642
he went to Utrecht, ar>d was made professor extraordinary
in medicine. His lectures in medicine, and in anatomy,
procured him great credit, and were no less useful to the
university, drawing thither a great conflux of pupils. In
1651, he was made ordinary professor; he was also twice
appointed rector of the university, and continued in high
esteem to the time of his death, which happened Nov. 17,
1674, when his funeral oration was pronounced by the
learned Graevius. Although an Arminian in his religious
tenets, the magistrates dispensed in his case with the laws
which excluded persons of that persuasion from attaining
academical honours. In 1649 he published " O ratio de
reducenda ad Medicinam Chirurgia;" and in 1664, Dispu-
tationum practicarum pars prima et secunda, de morbis
Capitis et Thoracis," 12mo, in which Haller says, there
are some curious and useful observations. His " Anatoine
-1 Cook's Voyages. — Kees's Cyclopaedia*
62 DIEMEBRIIOECK.
Corporis Humani," which has passed through numerous
editions, was first published in 1672, 4to, a compilation,
interspersed with some original observations ; but the plates
are neither very elegant nor very correct. In 1G85, his
works were collected and published tog-ether, at Utrecht,
under the title of " Opera Omnia," by his son Timanis de
Diemerbroeck, in folio. This was reprinted in two volumes,
4to, and published at Geneva in 1687. It contains, be-
sides the works above named, " A treatise on the Measles
and Small-pox, a century of observations in medicine and
surgery, and a third part of disputations containing ac-
counts of diseases of the lower belly." '
DIEPENBECK (ABRAHAM VAN), an artist, was born at
Bois-le-Duc, in 1607, and was at first a painter on glass,
in which he was accounted excellent, and even superior
to any of his time ; yet he discontinued it, on account of
a variety of discouraging accidents that happened to him,
in his preparations for that kind of work. He studied for
some time in Italy, and found there good employment as a
glass painter; but he turned his thoughts entirely to paint-
ing in oil ; and, to obtain the best knowledge of colouring,
entered himself in the school of Rubens, where he im-
proved exceedingly, and was considered as one of the good
disciples of that great master; yet, notwithstanding the
opportunity he had of refining his national taste, during
his residence in Italy, he never altered his original style
of design ; for all his subsequent compositions were too
much loaded, and not very correct. His invention was
fertile, and shewed genius, and his execution was full of
spirit; but it was no inconsiderable prejudice to him, to
have been engaged in such a number of designs as were
perpetually thrown in his way, and which he was obliged
to strike out in a hurry, without competent time allowed
for judgment to revise, digest, and correct them. Designs
for title-pages, for theses, and devotional subjects, en-
grossed the greatest part of his time and his labour ; or
designs for the decoration of books ; of which kind, that
called the "Temple of the Muses," 1662, afforded him
great employment, and added much honour to the artist,
merely as a designer. His designs, indeed, of the Belle-
rophon, the Orpheus, the Dioscuri, the Leander, the Ixion,
Tantalus, and Sisyphus, have never been excelled by the
1 Moreri.— Buvman's Trajectam Erudition — Foppem Bibl. Beljj.
DIEPENBECK. 63
conception of the best masters of the best schools. He
was one of the few scholars of Rubens that came to Eng-
land, where he was much employed by William Cavendish,
duke of Newcastle, whose managed horses he drew from
the life ; from whence were engraved the cuts that adorn
that nobleman's book of horsemanship. Several of the
original pictures are, or very lately were, in the hall at
Welbeck. Diepenbeck drew views of the duke's seats in
Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, and portraits of the
duke, duchess, and his children, and gave designs for se-
veral plates prefixed to the works of both their graces. At
Cassiobery is the story of Dido and ^Eneas by him. l
DIEST (ABRAHAM VAN), another artist, known in this
country, was born at the Hague, in 1655 ; but spent the
greatest part of his life in England, to which he came in
his seventeenth year, and where he gradually rose into
considerable credit, having been well instructed by his
father, who was a skilful painter of sea-pieces. His taste
of landscape was formed almost entirely (as he often de-
clared) by designing the lovely views in the western parts
of England, and along the coasts. Some of his pictures
have great clearness and transparence in the colouring, and
a peculiar tenderness in the distances ; they are truly fine
in the skies, have an uncommon freedom in the clouds,
and an agreeable harmony through the whole. But, as he
was often obliged to paint for low prices, there is a great
disproportion in his works. The narrowness of his circum-
stances depressed his talent, and rendered him inattentive
to fame, being solely anxious to provide for his family.
Had he been so happy as to receive a proper degree of
encouragement, it is not improbable that he might have
approached near to those of the first rank in his profession.
The figures in his landscapes were frequently inserted by
the younger Adrian Coloni, his brother-in-law. He be-
gan to engrave a set of prints, after views from his own
designs, but the gout put an end to his life in 170-1, in the
forty- ninth year of his age. Lord Orford, who has a por-
trait of him, thinks he was not much encouraged in Eng-
land, except by Granville earl of Bath, for whom he drew
several views and ruins in the West of England.2
DIETERIC (JOHN CONRAD), the son of John Conrad,
first minister of the church of Butzbach, and afterwards
1 Pilkington. — Argenville. — Descamps.— Waipole's Anecdotes.
* Pilk t ju.— Walpole.
64 D I E T E R I C.
superintendent of Giessen, and nephew of Conrad Dieterk,
another learned German divine, was born at Butzbach,
Jan. 19, 1612. After having studied at Marpurg, Jena,
and Strasburgh, he maintained a thesis, in 1635, under
professor Dilher, on the utility of profane authors in the
study of the Holy Scriptures. He then went into Hol-
land, where he became acquainted with the learned Vos-
sius, Boxborn, Barlaeus, Heinsius, and other eminent
scholars. Thence he travelled into Denmark and Prussia,
remaining some time at Konigsberg. On his return,
George II. landgrave of Hesse, appointed him professor of
Greek and history in 1639. From the observations which
he left on the aphorisms of Hippocrates, he appears to
have in some early part of his life studied medicine. On
certain disputes arising between the princes of the house of
Hesse, prince George invited him to his court to arrange
the papers and documents preserved in the archives. In
1647, he obtained leave to go to Hamburgh, where he
remained until these family-disputes were adjusted. In
1653, when the college of Giessen was founded, which
had brought many visitors from Marpnrg, he became one
of the professors, and remained in this office, with great
reputation, until his death in 1669. The letters which
John Christian, baron of Boinebourg, wrote to him, and
which were printed in 1 703, evince the high esteem which
that nobleman entertained for him. He was editor of a
work written by Henry of Bunau, entitled " Historia
imperatorum Germanicorum familise Saxonies, Henrici I.
Ottonis magni ; Ottonis II. Ottonis III. et Henrici II."
Giessen, 1666, 4to. His own works are, 1. " Breviarium
historicum et geographicum." 2. " Breviarium ponti-
ficum." 3. " Discursus historico-politicus de perigratione
studiorum," Marpurg, 1640, 4to. 4. " Graecia exulans,
seu de infelicitate superioris sseculi in Greecarum littera-
rum ignoratione." 5. " Antiquitates llomanai." 6.
" latraeum Hippocraticum," Ulm, 1661, 4to. 7. "Bre-
viarium ha3reticorurn et conciliorum." 8. " Index in He-
siodum." 9. " Lexicon Etymologico-Graecum." 10.
" Antiquitates Biblicue, in quibus decreta, prophetiae, ser-
mones, consuetudincs, ritusque ac dicta veteris Testa-
menti de rebus Judaeorum et Gentilium, qua sacris, qua
profanis, expenduntur; ex editione Joannis-Justi Pistorii,"
Giessen, 1671, folio, which, with the following, was post-
humous, 11. "Antiquitates Nov. Testamenti, seu illus-
DIEU. 65
trartiefltum Nov. Test, sive Lexicon philologico-theologi-
cum Grseco-Latinum," Francfort, 1680, folio. *
DIELJ (LEWIS DE), protestant minister of Leyden, and
professor in the Walloon college of that city, a man of
great abilities, and uncommonly versed in the oriental lan-
guages, was born April 7, 1590, at Flushing, where his
father Daniel de Dieu was minister. Daniel was a man of
great merit, and a native of Brussels, where he had been
a minister twenty:two years. He removed from thence in
1585, to serve the church at Flushing, after the duke of
Parma had taken Brussels. He understood Greek and the
oriental languages, and could preach with the applause of
his auditors in German, Italian, French, and English. The
churches of the Netherlands sent him, in 1588, over to
queen Elizabeth, to inform her of the designs of the duke
of Parma, who secretly made her proposals of peace, while
the king of Spain was equipping a formidable fleet against
England. — Lewis, his son, studied under Daniel Colonius,
his uncle by his mother's side, who was professor at Ley-
den in the Walloon college. He was two years minister
of the French church at Flushing; and might have been
court-minister at the Hague, if his natural aversion to the
manners of a court had not restrained him from accepting
that place. There are some circumstances relating to that
affair which deserve to be remembered. Prince Maurice,
being in Zealand, heard Lewis de Dieu preach, who was
yet but a student ; and some time after sent for him to
court. The young man modestly excused himself, de-
claring, that he designed to satisfy his conscience in the
exercise of his ministry, and to censure freely what he
should find deserved censure ; a liberty, he said, which
courts did not care to allow. Besides, he thought the post
which was offered him more proper for a man in years than
a student. The prince, conscious that he was in the right,
commended his modesty and prudence. He was called to
Leyden in 1619 to teach, with his uncle Colonius, in the
Walloon college ; and he discharged the duty of that em-
ployment with great diligence till his death, which hap-
pened in 1642. He refused the post, which was offered
him, of divinity-professor in the new university of Utrecht;
but, if he had lived long enough, he would have been ad-
vanced to the same post in that of Leyden. He married
1 Moreri. — Freheri Theatrum, — Morhoff Polyhist. — Saxii Onomast,
VOL. XII. F
6u DIE U.
the daughter of a counsellor of Flushing, by whom he had
eleven children.
Father Simon speaks advantageously of the writings of
Lewis de Dieu in the 35th chapter of his " Critical History
of the Commentators on the New Testament." The esti-
mation in which he was held by archbishop Usher, appears
from the Letters of that excellent prelate, published by
Dr. Parr. The titles of his learned writings are, 1.
" Compendium Grammatica; Hebraicae," Leyden, 1626,
4to. 2. " Apocalypsis S. Joanna Syriace ex manuscripto
exemplari bibliothecce Jos. Scaligeri edita, &c." Leyden,
1627, 4to. 3. " Grammatica trilinguis, Hebraica, Syriaca,
et Chaldaica," ibid. 1628, 4to. 4. "Animadversiones in
quatuor evangelia," ibid. 1631, 4to. 5. " Animadversiones
in Acta Apostolorum," ibid. 1634, 4to. 6. " His-
toria Christi et S. Petri Persice conscripta, &c." ibid.
J639, 4to. 7. " Rudimenta linguae Persictc," ibid. 1639,
4to. 8. " Animadversiones in Epistolam ad Romanes et
reliquas Epistolas," ibid. 1646, 4to. 9. "Animadversiones
in omnes libros Veteris Testamenti," ibid. 1648. 10.
" Critica Sacra, sive animadversiones in loca qucedam diffi-
ciliora Veteris et Novi Testamenti," Amst. 1693, folio. 1 1.
" Grammatica Linguarum Orientalium ex recensione Da-
vidis Clodii," Francfort, 1683, 4to, in which the editor
has collected all that De Dieu had published on the gram-
mar of the Eastern languages. 12. " Aphorismi Theo-
logi," Utrecht, 1693. This and the two following were
edited by professor Leydecker of Utrecht. 13. " Traite
co'ntre 1'avarice, par Louis de Dieu, qui est le seul de tous
ses ouvrages Flamans qu'il ait souhaite qu'on publiat." De-
venter, 1695, 8vo. 14. " Khetorica Sacra."1
DIGBY (Sir EVERARD), an English gentleman, memo-
rable for the share he had in the powder-plot, and his suf-
fering on that account, was descended from an ancient
O *
family, and born some time in 1581. His father, Everard
Digby, of Drystoke in Rutlandshire, esq. a person of great
worth and learning, was educated in St. John's college,
Cambridge, where he took the degree of M. A. and pub-
lished several treatises, some on learned, others on curious
subjects: as, 1. " Theoria analytica viam ad mouarchiam
scientiarum demonstrans," 1579, 4to. 2. " De duplici
1 Gen. Diet. — Niceron, vol. XV. — Foppen Bibl. Belg. — Moreri. — Blount's
Censura.— Parr's Life and Letters of Archbishop Usher, pp. 413, 461,464, 415,
480, 481, 486, 4S7, 490, 596.— Saxij Onomast.
D I G B Y. 67
methodo libri duo, Rami methodum refutantes," 1580,
8vo. 3. " De arte natandi, libri duo," 1587. 4. "A
dissuasive from taking away the goods and livings of the
church," 4to. His son, the subject of this article, was
educated with great care, but unfortunately under the tui-
tion of some popish priests, who gave him those impres-
sions which his father, if he had lived, might probably have
prevented ; but he died when his son was only eleven
years of age. He was introduced very early to the court
of queen Elizabeth, where he was much noticed, and re-
ceived several marks of her majesty's favour. On the ac-
cession of king James, he went likewise to pay his duty,
as others of his religion did ; was very graciously received ;
and had the honour of knighthood conferred upon him,
being looked on as a man of a fair fortune, pregnant abili-
ties, and a court-like behaviour. He married Mary,
daughter and sole heiress of William Mulsho, esq. of Go-
thurst, in Buckinghamshire, with whom he had a great for-
tune, which, with his own estate, was settled upon the
children of that marriage. One would have imagined that,
considering his mild temper and happy situation in the
world, this gentleman might have spent his days in honour
and peace, without running the smallest hazard of meeting
that disgraceful death, which has introduced his name into
all our histories : but it happened far otherwise. He was
drawn in by the artifices and persuasions of sir Thomas
Tresham, a zealous papist, and probably also by those of
the notorious Catesby, with whom he was intimate, to be
privy to the gunpowder-plot ; and though he was not a
principal actor in this dreadful affair, or indeed an actor
at all, yet he offered 1500/. towards defraying the expences
of it ; entertained Guy Fawkes, who was to have executed
it, in his house; and was taken in open rebellion with
other papists after the plot was detected and miscarried.
The means by which sir Everard was persuaded to engage
in this affair, according to his own accoun' \vere these:
first, he was told that king James had broke his promises
to the catholics; secondly, that severer laws against popery
would be made in the next parliament, that husbands
would be made obnoxious for their wives' otte/iees and
that it would be made a praemunire only to be a catholic ;
but the main point was, thirdly, that the restoring of the
catholic religion was the duty of every member ; and that,
F 2
68 D I O B Y.
in consideration of this, he was not to regard any favonjr*
received from the crown, the tranquillity of his country,
or the hazards that might be run in respect to his life, his
family, or his fortune. Upon his commitment to the Tower,
he persisted steadily in maintaining his own innocence as
to the powder-plot, and refused to discover any who were
concerned in it ; but when he was brought to his trial at
Westminster, Jan. 27, 1606, and indicted for being ac-
quainted with and concealing the powder-treason, taking
the double oath of secrecy and constancy, and acting
openly with other traitors in rebellion, he pleaded guilty.
After this, he endeavoured to extenuate his offence, by
explaining the motives before mentioned ; and then re-
quested that, as he had been alone in the crime, he might
alone bear the punishment, without extending it to his
family ; and that his debts might be paid, and himself be-
headed. When sentence of death was passed, he seemed
to be very much affected : for, making a low bow to those
on the bench, he said, " If I could hear any of your lord-
ships say you forgave me, I should go the more cheerfully
to the gallows." To this all the lords answered, " God
forgive you, and we do." He was, with other conspira-
tors, upon the 30th of the same month, hanged, drawn,
and quartered at the west end of St. Paul's church in Lon-
don, where he asked forgiveness of God, the king, the
queen, the prince, and all the parliament; and protested,
that if he had known this act at first to have been so foul a
treason, he would not have concealed it to have gained a
world, requiring the people to witness, that he died peni-
tent and sorrowful for it. Wood mentions a most extraor-
dinary circumstance at his death, as a thing generally
Itnown, or rather generally reported ; namely, that when
the executioner plucked out his heart, and according to
form held it up, saying, " Here is the heart of a traitor,''
sir Everard made answer, "Thou lyest ;" a story which
will scarcely now obtain belief; yet it is told by Bacon in
his " Historia vitae et mortis," although he does not men-
tion sir Everard's name.
Sir Everard left at his death two young sons, afterward*
sir Kenelm and sir John Digby, and expressed his affection
towards them by a well-written and pathetic paper, which
he desired might be communicated to them at a fit time,
*i> the last advice of their father. While he was in the
D I G B Y. 69
Tower, he wrote, in juice of lemon, or otherwise, upon
slips of paper, as opportunity offered; and got these con-
veyed to his lady, by such as had permission to see him.
These notes, or advertisements, were preserved by the
family as precious relics ; till, in 1 675, they were found at
the house of Charles Cornwallis, esq. executor to sir
Kenelm Digby, by sir Rice Rudd, bart. and William
Wogan of Gray's-inn, esq. They were afterwards annexed
to the proceedings against the traitors, and other pieces
relating to the popish plot, printed by the orders of secre-
tary Coventry, dated Dec. 12, 1G7S. In the first of these
papers there is the following paragraph : " Now for my
intention, let me tell you, that if I had thought there had
been the least sin in the plot, I would not have been of it
for all the world ; and no other cause drew me to hazard
my fortune and life, but zeal to God's religion." Such
was the subjugation of sir Everard Digby' s understanding
and feelings to his religious principles, and the interest of
the church to which he was devoted, that he had no con-
ception of there being the least sin in his engaging in a
conspiracy of the most execrable nature, and which in-
volved in it an astonishing complication of murder. It
appears, too, that he was surprised and grieved to the last
degree, that the plot should be condemned by any catho-
lic. Nor was he singular in these sentiments. The other
persons who were concerned in the conspiracy gloried in
the design, and they were most of them men of family,
estate, and character. Mr. Hume's observations on the
subject are worthy of being recited : " Neither," says he,
"had the desperate fortune of the conspirators urged them
to this enterprize, nor had the former profligacy of their
lives prepared them for so great a crime. Before that
audacious attempt, their conduct seems, in general, liable
to no reproach. Catesby's character had entitled him to
such regard, that Rookwood and Digby were seduced by
their implicit trust in his judgment; and they declared,
that, from the motive alone of friendship to him, they were
ready, on any occasion, to have sacrificed their lives.
Digby himself was as highly esteemed and beloved as any
man in England ; and he had been particularly honoured
with the good opinion of queen Elizabeth. It was bigoted
zeal alone, the most absurd of prejudices masqued with
reason, the most criminal of passions covered with the
70 D I G B Y.
appearance of duty, which seduced them into measures that
were fatal to themselves, and had so nearly proved fatal to
their country."
DIGBY (Sir KENELM), who once enjoyed the reputa-
tion of a philosopher, the eldest son of sir Everard Digby,
was born at Gothurst in Buckinghamshire, June 11, 1603.
At the time of his father's death, he was with his mother at
Gothurst, being then in the third year of his age : but he
seems to have been taken early out of her hands, since it
is certain that he renounced the errors of popery very
young, and was carefully bred up in the protestant religion,
under the direction, as it is supposed, of archbishop Laud,
then dean of Gloucester. Some have said, that king James
restored his estate to him in his infancy ; but this is an
error ; for it was decided by law that the king had no right
to it. About 1618 he was admitted a gentleman-com-
moner of Gloucester-hall, now Worcester college, in Ox-
ford ; where he soon discovered such strength of natural
abilities, and such a spirit of penetration, that his tutor,
who was a man of parts and learning, used to compare him,
probably for the universality of his genius, to the cele-
brated Picus de Mirandula. After having continued at
Oxford between two and three years, and having raised
the highest expectations of future eminence, he made the
tour of France, Spain, and Italy, and returned to England
in 1623 ; in which year he was knighted by the king, to
whom he was presented at the lord Montague's house at
Hinchinbroke, October 23. Soon after, he rendered him-
self remarkable by the application of a secret he met with
in his travels, which afterwards made so much noise in
the world under the title of the " Sympathetic Powder,"
by which wounds were to be cured, although the patient
was out of sight, a piece of quackery scarcely credible,
yet it was practised by sir Kenelni, and his patient Howell,
the letter-writer, and believed by many at that time. The
virtues of this powder, as himself assures us, were tho-
roughly inquired into by king James, his son the prince of
Wales, the duke of Buckingham, with other persons of
the highest distinction, and all registered among the obser-
vations of the great chancellor Bacon, to be added by
way of appendix to his lordship's Natural History ; but
this is not strictly true ; for lord Bacon never published
i Biog. Brit.— Dodd's Church History, vol. II.
D I G B Y. 71
that Appendix, although he does give a story nearly as
absurd.
After the death of James, he made as great a figure in
the new court as he had done in the old ; and was ap-
pointed a gentleman of the bed-chamber, a commissioner
of the navy, and a governor of the Trinity-house. Some
disputes having happened in the Mediterranean with the
Venetians, he went as adoiiral thither with a small fleet in
the summer of 1628 ; and gained great honour bv his bra-
very and conduct at Algiers, in rescuing many English
slaves, and attacking' the Venetian fleet in the bay of
Scanderoon. In 1632 he had an excellent library of MSS.
as well as printed books left him by Ins tutor at Oxford ;
but, considering how much the MSS. were valued in that
* O
university, and how serviceable they might be to the stu-
dents there, he generously bestowed them the very next
year upon the Bodleian library. He continued to this time
a member of the church of England; but, going some time
afterwards into France, he began to have religious scru-
ples, t-nd at length, in 1636, reconciled himself to the
church of Rome. He wrote upon this occasion to Laud an
apology for his conduct ; and the archbishop returned him
an answer, full of tenderness and good advice, but, as it
seems, with very little hopes of regaining him. In his
letter to the archbishop, he took great pains to convince
him, that he had done nothing in this affair precipitately,
or without due consideration ; and he was desirous that the
public should entertain the same opinion of him. As no-
thing also has been more common, than for persons who
have changed their system of religion, to vindicate their
conduct by setting forth their motives ; so with this view
he published at Paris, in 1638, a piece, entitled " A Con-
ference with a lady about the choice of Religion." It was
reprinted at London in 1654, and is written in a polite,
easy, and concise style. Some controversial letters of his
were published at London in 1651.
After a long stay in France, where he was highly ca-
ressed, he came over to England ; and in 1639 was, with
sir Walter Montague, employed by the queen to engage
the papists to a liberal contribution to the king, which
they effected ; on which account some styled the forces
then raised for his majesty, the popish army. Jan. 1640,
the house of commons sent for sir Kenelm in order to know
how far, and upon what grounds, he had acted in. this
72 DIGBY.
matter ; which he opened to them very clearly, without
having the least recourse to subterfuges or evasions. Upon
the breaking out of the civil war, being at London, he
was by the parliament committed prisoner to Winchester-
house; but at length, in 1643, set at liberty, her majesty
the queen dowager of France having condescended to write
a letter, with her own hand, in his favour. His liberty
was granted upon certain terms ; and a very respectful
letter written in answer to that of the queen. Hearne has
preserved a copy of the letter, directed to the queen re-
gent of France, in the language of that country ; of which
the following is a translation : " Madam, the two houses
of parliament having been informed by the sieur de Gressy,
of the desire your majesty has that we should set at liberty
sir Kenelm Digby ; we are commanded to make known to
your majesty, that although the religion, the past beha-
viour, and the abilities of this gentleman, might give some
umbrage of his practising to the prejudice of the constitu-
tions of this realm ; nevertheless, having so great a regard
to the recommendation of your majesty, they have ordered
him to be discharged, and have authorized us farther to
assure your majesty, of their being always ready to testify
to you their respects upon every occasion, as well as to
advance whatever may regard the good correspondence
between the two states. We remain your majesty's most
humble servants, &c." In regard to the terms upon which
this gentleman was set at liberty, they will sufficiently ap-
pear from the following paper, entirely written, as well as
subscribed by his own hand: " Whereas, upon the media-
tion of her majesty the queen of France, it hath pleased
both houses of parliament to permit me to go into that
kingdom ; in humble acknowledgement of their favour
therein, and to preserve and confirm a good opinion of my
zeal and honest intentions to the honour and service of my
country, I do here, upon the faith of a Christian, and the
word of a gentleman, protest and promise, that I will
neither directly nor indirectly negociate, promote, consent
unto or conceal, any practice or design prejudicial to the
honour or safety of the parliament. And, in witness of
my reality herein, I have hereunto subscribed my name,
this 3d day of August, 1643, Kenelm Digby." Hovfever,
before he quitted the kingdom, he was summoned by a
committee of the house of commons, in order to give an
account of any transactions he might be privy to between
D I G B Y. 73
archbishop Laud and the court of Rome ; and particularly
as to an offer supposed to be made to that prelate from
thence of a cardinal's hat. Sir Kenelm assured the com-
mittee that he knew nothing of any such transactions ; and
that, in his judgment, the archbishop was what he seemed
to be, a very sincere and learned protestant. During his
confinement at Winchester-house, he was the author of
two pieces at the least, which were afterwards made pub-
lic; namely, 1. " Observations upon Dr. Browne's Religio
Medici," 1643*. 2. "Observations on the 22d stanza in
the 9th canto of the 2d book of Spenser's Fairy Queen,'*
1644, containing, says his biographer, " a very deep phi-
losophical commentary upon these most mysterious verses.'*
His appearance in France was highly agreeable to many
of the learned in that kingdom, who had a great opinion of
his abilities, and were charmed with the spirit and freedom,
of his conversation. It was probably about this time that,
having read the writings of Descartes, he resolved to go
to Holland on purpose to see him, and found him in his
retirement at Egmond. There, after conversing with him.
upon philosophical subjects some time, without making
himself known, Descartes, who had read some of his works,
told him, that " he did not doubt but he was the famous
sir Kenelm Digby !" " And if you, sir," replied the
knight, " were not the illustrious M. Descartes, I should
not have come here on purpose to see you." Desmaizeaux,
who has preserved this anecdote in his Life of St. Evre-
mond, tells us also of a conversation which then followed
between these great men, about lengthening out life to
the period of the patriarchs, which we have already noticed
in our account of Descartes. He is also said to have had
many conferences afterwards with Descartes at Paris, where
he spent the best part of the ensuing winter, and em-
ployed himself in digesting those philosophical treatises
which he had been long meditating ; and which he pub-
lished in his own language, but with a licence or privilege
from the French king the year following. Their titles are,
J. " A Treatise of the nature of Bodies." 2. " A Treatise
declaring the operations and nature of Man's Soul, out of
* In this work, says Dr. Johnson, yet its principal claim to admiration is,
in his life of Browne, though mingled that it was written in twenty-four hours,
with some positions fabulous and un- of which part was spent in procuring
certain, there are acute remarks, just Browne's book, aud part in reading
Censures, auc! profound speculations j it.
74 D I G B Y.
which the immortality of reasonable Souls is evinced/'
Both printed at Paris in 1644, and often reprinted at Lon-
don. He published also, 3. " Institutionum peripatetica-
rum libri quinque, curn appendice theologica de origine
mundi," Paris, 1651 : which piece, joined to the two for-
mer, translated into Latin by J. L. together with a preface
in the same language by Thomas Albius, \hat is, Thomas
White, was printed at London in 4to, 1C69.
After the king's affairs were totally ruined, sir Kenelm
found himself under a necessity of returning into England
in order to compound for his estate. The parliament,
however, did not judge it proper that he should remain
here ; and therefore not only ordered him to withdraw,
but voted, that if he should afterwards at any time return,
without leave of the house first obtained, he should lose
both life and estate. Upon this he went again to France,
where he was very kindly received by Henrietta Maria,
dowager queen of England, to whom he had been for some
time chancellor. He was sent by her not long after into
Italy, and at first well received by Innocent X. but Wood
says, behaved to the pope so haughtily, that he quickly
lost his good opinion ; and adds farther, that there was a
suspicion of his being no faithful steward of the contribu-
tions raised in that part of the world for the assistance
of the distressed catholics in England. After Cromwell
had assumed the supreme power, sir Kenelm, who had
then nothing to fear from the parliament, ventured to re-
turn home, and continued here a great part of 1655 ; when
it has generally been supposed that he was embarked in
the great design of reconciling the papists to the protector.
After some stay at Paris, he spent the summer of 1656
at Toulouse, where he conversed with several learned and
ingenious men, to whom he communicated, not only ma-
thematical, physical, and philosophical discoveries of his
own, but also any matters of this nature he received from.
his friends in different parts of Europe. Among these was
a relation he had obtained of a city in Barbary under the
king of Tripoli, which was said to be turned into stone in
a very few hours by a petrifying vapour out of the earth ;
that is, men, beasts, trees, houses, utensils, and the like,
remaining all in the same posture as when alive. He had
this account from Fitton, an Englishman residing in Flo«
rence as library-keeper to the grand duke of Tuscany ; and
Fitton from the grand duke, who a little before had written
D t G B Y. 7*
to the pasha of Tripoli to know the truth. Sir Keuelm
sent it to a friend in England; and it was at length in-
serted in the " Mercurius Politicus." This drew a very
severe censure upon our author from the famous Henry
Stubbes, who called him, on that account, "The Pliny of
his age for lying." It has, however, been offered, in his
vindication, that accounts have been given of such a city
by modern writers ; and that these accounts are in some
measure confirmed by a paper delivered to Richard Wal-
ler, esq. F. R. S. by Mr. Baker, who was the English con-
sul at Tripoli, Nov. 12, 1713. This paper is to be found
in the " Philosophical Observations and Experiments of Dr.
Robert Hooke," published by Derham in 1726, 8vo ; and
it begins thus : " About forty days journey S. E. from
Tripoli, and about seven days from the nearest sea-coast,
there is a place called Ougila, in which there are found
the bodies of men, women, and children, beasts and plants,
all petrified of hard stone, like marble." And we are af-
terwards told, in the course of the relation, that " the
figure of a man petrified was conveyed to Leghorn, and
from thence to England ; and that it was carried to secre-
tary Thurloe."
In 1657 we find him at Montpelier ; whither he went,
partly for the sake of his health, which began to be im-
paired by severe fits of the stone, and partly for the sake
of enjoying the learned society of several ingenious per-
sons, who had formed themselves into a kind of academy
there. To- these he read, in French, his " Discourse of
the Cure of Wounds by the Powder of Sympathy," which,
was translated into English, and printed at London ; and
afterwards into Latin, and reprinted in 1669, with "The
Treatise of Bodies, &c." As to the philosophical argu-
ments in this work, and the manner in which the author
accounts for the strange operations of this remedy, how-
ever highly admired in those days, they will not now be
thought very convincing. He spent the year 1658, and
part of 1659, in the Lower Germany; and then returned
to Paris, where we find him in 16CO. He returned the
year following to England, and was very well received at
court ; although the ministers were far from being ignorant
of the irregularity of his conduct, and the attention he paid
to Cromwell while the king was in exile. It does not ap-
pear, however, that any other favour was shewn him than
seemed to be due to a man of letters. In the first settle-
76 DIGBY.
ment of the royal society we find him appointed one of
the council, by the title of sir Kenelm Digby, knight,
Chancellor to our dear mother queen Mary. As long as
his health permitted, he attended the meetings of this so-
ciety ; and assisted in the improvements that were then
made in natural knowledge. One of his discourses, "Con-
cerning the Vegetation of Plants," \vas printed in 1661;
and it is the only genuine work of our author of which we
have not spoken. For though the reader may find in
Wood, and other authors, several pieces attributed to him,
yet these were published after his decease by one Hartman,
who was his operator, and who put his name in the title-
page, with a view of recommending compositions very
unworthy of him to the public. It may be proper to ob-
serve in this place, that he translated from the Latin of
Albertus Magnus, a piece entitled " A treatise of ad-
hering to God," which was printed at London in 1654;
and that he had formed a design of collecting and publish-
ing the works of Roo-er Bacon.
o o
He spent the remainder of his days at his house in Co-
vent Garden, where he was much visited by the lovers of
philosophical and mathematical learning, and according to
a custom which then prevailed much in France, he had a
kind of academy, or literary assembly, in his own dwelling.
In 1665 his old distemper the stone increased upon him
much, and brought him very low ; which made him de-
sirous, as it is said, of going to France. This, however,
he did not live to accomplish, but died on his birth-day,
June 1 1th, that year; and was interred in a vault built at
his own charge in Christ-church within Newgate, London.
His library, which was justly esteemed a most valuable
collection, had been transported into France at the first
breaking out of the troubles, and improved there at a very
considerable expense ; but, as he was no subject of his
most Christian majesty, it became, according to that branch
of the prerogative which the French style DroilcTAubain,
the property of the crown upon his decease. He left an
only son, John Digby, esq. who succeeded to the family
estate. He had an elder son, Kenelm Digby, esq. of
great abilities and virtues ; but this gentleman appearing
in arms for Charles I. after that monarch was utterly inca-
pable of making the least resistance, was killed at the battle
of St. Neot's in Huntingdonshire, July 7, 1648.
It has been justly observed by the editors of the last
D I G B Y. 77
edition of the Biog. Britannica, that sir Kenelm Digby
seems to have obtained a reputation beyond his merit ; yet
his merit was great, and his personal character has been
admirably drawn by lord Clarendon : " He was," says
that historian, " a person very eminent and notorious
throughout the whole course of his life, from his cradle to
his grave ; of an ancient family and noble extraction ; and
inherited a fair and plentiful fortune, notwithstanding the
attainder of his father. He was a man of a very extraor-
dinary person and presence, which drew the eyes of all
men upon him, which were more fixed by a wonderful
graceful behaviour, a flowing courtesy and civility, and
such a volubility of language, as surprised and delighted ;
and though in another man it might have appeared to have
somewhat of affectation, it was marvellous graceful in.
him, and seemed natural to his size, and mould of his
person, to the gravity of his motion, and the tune of his
voice and delivery. He had a fair reputation in arms, of
which he gave an early testimony in his youth, in some
encounters in Spain and Italy, and afterwards in an action
in the Mediterranean sea, where he had the command of
a squadron of ships of war set out at his own charge, under
the king's commission ; with which, upon an injury re-
ceived or apprehended from the Venetians, he encountered
their whole fleet, killed many of their men, and sunk one
of their galeasses ; which in that drowsy and unactive time
was looked upon with a general estimation, though the
crown disavowed it. In a word, he had all the advantages
that nature and art, and an excellent education could give
him, which, with a great confidence and presentness of
mind, buoyed him up against all those prejudices and dis-
advantages (as the attainder and execution of his father
for a crime of the highest nature ; his own marriage with
a lady, though of an extraordinary beauty, of as extraor-
dinary a fame ; his changing and rechanging his religion ;
and some personal vices and licences in his life) which
would have suppressed and sunk any other man, but never
clouded or eclipsed him from appearing in the best places,
and the best company, and with the best estimation and
satisfaction." We cati entertain no doubt, therefore, of
the estimation in which he was held", and of the merit
which deserved it; but on the other hand it is impossible
to acquit him of excessive credulity, or of deliberate im-
posture. His sympathetic powder, and his belief, or his
73 D I G B Y.
assertion of the power of transmuting metals, will not now
bear examination, without affecting his character in one or
other of these respects.1
DIGBY (JOHN), earl of Bristol, and father of lord
George Digby, was by no means an inconsiderable man,
though checked by the circumstances of his times from
making so great a figure as his son. He was descended
from an ancient family at Coleshill, in Warwickshire, and
born in 1580. He was entered a commoner of Magdalen-
college, Oxford, in 1595; and the year following distin-
guished himself as a poet by a copy of verses made upon
the death of sir Henry Union of Wadley, in Berks. After-
wards he travelled into France and Italy, and returned
from thence perfectly accomplished ; so that soon falling
under the notice of king James, he was admitted gentle-
man of the privy-chamber, and one of his majesty's carvers,
in 1605. February following he received the honour of
knighthood ; and in April 1611, was sent ambassador into
Spain, as he was afterwards again in 1614. April 1616
he was admitted one of the king's privy-council, and vice-
chamberlain of his majesty's household ; and in 1618 was
advanced to the dignity of a baron, by the title of the lord
Digby of Sherbourne, in Dorsetshire. In 1620 he was sent
ambassador to the archduke Albert, and the year following
to Ferdinand the emperor ; as also to the duke of Bavaria.
In 1622 he was sent ambassador extraordinary to Spain,
concerning the marriage between prince Charles and Maria
daughter of Philip III. and the same year was created earl
of Bristol. Being censured by the duke of Buckingham,
on his return from the Spanish court in 1 624, he was for
a short time sent to the Tower ; but after an examination
by a committee of lords, we do not find that any thing
important resulted from this inquiry. After the accession
of Charles I. the tide of resentment ran strong against the
earl, who observing that the king was entirely governed by
Buckingham, resolved no longer to keep any measures
with the court. In consequence of this, the king, by a
stretch of prerogative, gave orders that the customary
writ for his parliamentary attendance should not; be sent
to him, and on May 1, 1626, he was charged with high
treason and other offences. Lord Bristol recriminated, by
preparing articles of impeachment against the duke ; but
1 Biog. Brit,— Life of lord Clarendon.— Ath. Ox. vol. H.
D I G B Y. 79
the king, resolving to protect Buckingham, dissolved the
parliament. The earl now sided with the leaders of op-
position in the long parliament. But the violences of that
assembly soon disgusting him, he left them, and became a
zealous adherent to the king and his cause ; for which at
length he suffered exile, and the loss of his estate. He
died at Paris, Jan. 21, 1653.
He was the author of several works. Besides the verses
above-mentioned, he composed other poems ; one of
which, an air for three voices, was set by H. Lawes, and
published in his " Airs and Dialogues," at London, in
1653. Besides his tracts and speeches on the politics of
the times, he was in the earlier part of his life the author
of a work of a very different nature, namely, a translation
of Peter du Moulin's book, entitled, " A Defence of the
Catholic Faith, contained in the book of king James, against
the answer of N. Coeffeteau, 1610, &c." He probably
undertook this laborious task at the request of that mo-
narch. The dedication, however, to the king, is not in
his own, but in the name of J. Sandford, his chaplain.1
DIGBY (LORD GEORGE), an English nobleman of great
parts, was son of the preceding, and born at Madrid, in
October, 1612. In 1626 he was entered of Magdalen-
college, in Oxford, where he lived in great familiarity
with the well-known Peter Heylin, and gave manifest
proofs of those great endowments for which he was after-
wards so distinguished. In 1636 he was created M. A.
there, just after Charles 1. had left Oxford ; where he had
been spendidly entertained by the university, and parti-
cularly at St. John's college, by Dr. Laud, afterwards
archbishop of Canterbury. In the beginning of the long
parliament he was disaffected to the court, and appointed
one of the committee to prepare a charge against the earl
of Strafford, in 1 640 ; but afterwards would not consent to
the bill, " not only," as he said, " because he was unsa-
tisfied in the matter of law, but for that he was more un-
satisfied in the matter of fact*." From that time he be-
1 Biog. Brit. — Lloyd's State Worthies, and Memoirs. — Ath. Ox. vol. II. —
Park's Royal and Noble Authors, vol. HI.
* At this time a circumstance oc- he had seen it, and that it had been
curred of a singular nature. A paper conveyed to him by some one of the
of great consequence to the trial was committee. Mr. Whitelock, who was
missing in the close committee of the in the chair, and who had the charge
house of commons ; and by the earl of and custody of all the papers, was sus-
Strafford's aufwcr it was supposed that pected move than any other person
80 D I G B Y.
came a declared enemy to the parliament, and shewed his
dislike of their proceedings in a warm speech against them,
which he made at the passing' of the bill of attainder against
the said earl, in April 1641. This speech was condemned
to be burnt, arid himself in June following, expelled the
house of commons. In Jan. 1642, he went on a message
from his majesty to Kingston-upon-Thames, to certain
gentlemen there, with a coach and six horses. This they
improved into a warlike appearance ; and accordingly he
was accused of high treason in parliament, upon pretence
of his levying war at Kingston-upon-Thames. Clarendon
mentions " this severe prosecution of a young nobleman of
admirable parts and eminent hopes, in so implacable a
manner, as a most pertinent instance of the tyranny and
injustice of those times." Finding what umbrage he had
given to the parliament, and how odious they had made
him to the people, he obtained leave, and a licence from
his majesty, to transport himself into Holland ; whence he
wrote several letters to his friends, and one to the queen,
which was carried by a perfidious confidant to the parlia-
ment, and opened. In a secret expedition afterwards to
the king, he was taken by one of the parliament's ships,
and carried to Hull; but being in such a disguise that not
his nearest relation could have known him, he brought
himself off very dextrously by his artful management of
to have been guilty of this piece of and deeper imprecations than any of
treachery. Strict search was made for the rest. Nevertheless, when, at the
the paper ; but it could not then be battle of Naseby, the king's cabinet
found. Mr. Whitelock alleged, in his was taken, a copy of this individual
own vindication, that amongst such a paper was found in it, written in his
multitude of papers as he had in his lordship's own hand. Thus was Mr.
custody, it was not easy to see that he Whitelock cleared, and the conveyer
had them all again, when they were of the paper to his majesty, and from
brought forth, or any of them called him to the earl of Strafiord, fully dis-
for. He added, that he never shewed covered. Lord Clarendon seems un-
the paper to any but the committee; willing to credit the truth of this story;
that he knew not who had it, or what but it appears to rest on a foundation
was become of it; that he did not con- too strong to be easily shaken. What
vey it away himself, and was totally his lordship observes is, that it may be
ignorant by whom it had been con- presumed, that a man who hud goUen
yeyed. This apology did not give full a paper in such a manner, would, at
•atisfaction. The house was acquaint- least, after such an inquiry was made
ed with the affair, and it was ordered, upon it, have cast it into the fire. The
that every one of the committee should earl of Clarendun, who is otherwise
make a solemn protestation, that they mistaken in his iclation of the affair,
did not convey away the paper in ques- should have recollected, that it was
tion, nor know what was become of it. not in lord Digby's power to des'roy
All of them made this protestation, and his copy of the paper, after he had
the lord Digby with more earnestness conveyed it to the king. — Biug. Brit.
D I G B Y.
81
the governor, sir John Hotham*. In 1643 he was made
one of the secretaries of state to the king, and high steward
of the university of Oxford, in the room of William lord
Say. In the latter end of 1645 he went into Ireland, and
exposed himself to great hazards of his life, for the ser-
vice of the king ; from thence he passed over to Jersey,
where the prince of Wales was, and after that into France,
in order to transact some important matters with the queen
and cardinal Mazarin. Upon the death of the king, he was
exempted from pardon by the parliament, and obliged to
live in exile till the restoration of Charles II. when he was
restored to all he had lost, and made knight of the garter.
He became very active in public affairs, spoke frequently in
* The story is thus told : He pre-
tended to be a Frenchman, the lan-
guage of which country he spoke ex-
cellently ; and he appealed to be so
sea-sick, that he kept himsult in the
hole of the bark, till it arrived at the
landing-place : and in that time he
disposed of such papers as were not fit
to be perused. When he came on
shore, he so well counterfeited sick-
ness and want of health, that he ob-
tained leave to be sent, under a guard,
to some obscure corner, for repose.
In this confinement he began seriously
to reflect on the desperateness of his
condition. He did not think it pos-
sible for him to continue long conceal-
ed ; and, if he should be discovered, he
knew that he was so odious, above all
other men, to the parliament, that his
life would be in the greatest danger.
At the same time, he was sensible that
sir John Hotham, the governor of Hull,
was his enemy, and that he was a man
of a covetous, rough, and unfeeling
disposition. Nevertheless, he resolved
to discover himself to him. Accordingly,
lord Digby, in broken English, which
might well have become any French-
man, found means to make one of his
guard understand, tbat he desired to
apeak privately with the governor ;
and that he would reveal some secrets
«f the king's and queen's to him, that
would highly advance the public service.
Upon being introduced to sir John Ho-
tham, and taken to a private part of
the room, he asked in English, " Whe-
ther he knew him ?" The other, sur-
prized at the question, told him " No."
" Then," said lord Bigby, " I shall
try whether I know sir John Hotham,
VOL. XII.
and whether he be in truth the same
man of honour I have always taken
him to be." Upon this he informed
the governor who he was, and that he
hoped he was too much of a gentleman
to deliver him up a sacrifice t/i those
who were his implacable enemies. Sir
John Hotham was so struck with lord
Digby's greatness of mind, and with,
the compliment paid to him<elf, that,
contrary to what might have been ex-
pected, both from his own nature, and
the most powerful motives of interest
and ambition, he told his lordship,
that since he had placed such a confi-
dence in him, he would not deceive hi*
trust ; and wished him to consider in
what way, and under what pretence,
he should be set at liberty. At length
it was agreed that the Frenchman
should be openly sent te York, as
going upon a political business, with
an assurance that he would return to
Hull. In the conversations which at
this time lord Digby had with the go-
vernor, he used every argument to
persuade him to engage in the king's
service ; and it was upon some encou-
ragement of that kind, that an expe-
dition which his majesty shortly after
made to Beverley, was founded. T»
forward the design, our enterprizing
nobleman returned to Hull in his old
disguise : but all his efforts to prevail
upon sir John Hotham to surrender the
town were in vain. Sir John's son, and
the principal officers, were devoted to the
parliament; and new supplies of men
were sent into the place ; so that the
governor either wanted the courage or
the power lo execute what be desired,
52 D I G B Y.
parliament, and distinguished himself by his enmity to
Clarendon while chancellor. He died at Chelsea, March
20, 1676, after succeeding his father as earl of Bristol.
Many of his speeches and letters are still extant, to he
found in our historical collections ; and he \vt\>te " Elvira,"
a comedy, &c. There are also letters of L is cousin
sir Kenelm Digby, against popery, mentioned in our ac-
count of sir Kenelm ; yet afterwards he became a papist
himself; which inconsistencies in' his character have been
neatly depicted by lord Orford. " He was," says he, " a
singular person, whose life was one contradiction. He
wrote against popery, and embraced it ; he was a zealous
opposer of the court, and a sacrifice for it ; was conscien-
tiously converted in the midst of his prosecution of lord
Strafford, and was most unconscientiously a prosecutor of
lord Clarendon. With great parts he always hurt himself
and his friends ; with romantic bravery, he was always an
unsuccessful commander. He spoke for the test act,
though a Roman catholic, and addicted himself to astro-
logy on the birth-day of true philosophy."1
DIGGES (LEONARD), an able mathematician, was de-
scended from an ancient family, and born at Digges-court,
in the parish of Barham, in Kent, in the early part of the
sixteenth century. He was sent, as Wood conjectures,
(for he is doubtful as to the place), to University-college,
Oxford, where he laid a good foundation of learning ; and
retiring from thence without a degree, prosecuted his
studies, and composed the following works : 1. " Tecto-
nicum ; briefly shewing the exact measuring, and speedy
reckoning of all manner of lands, squares, timber, stones,
steeples," &c. 1556, 4to ; repubiished, with additions, by
his son Thomas Digges, 1592, 4to ; and again in 1647,
4to. 2. " A geometrical practical treatise, named Pan-
tometfia, in three books," left imperfect in MS. at his
death ; but his son supplying such parts of it as were ob-
scure and imperfect, published it in 1591, folio; sub-
joining, " A discourse geometrical of ae iiv< regular and
Platonical bodies, containing sundry theoretical and prac-
tical propositions, arising by mutual conference of these
solids, inscription, circumscription, and i'-ansfonnaiion."
3. " Prognostication everlasting of right good effect ; or,
choice rules to judge the weather by the sun, moon, anet
» Biog. Biit.— Ath. Ox. vol. TL— Park's Orford, vol. Ilf,
D 1 G G E S. 83
stars," &c. 1555, 1556, and 1564, 4to, corrected and
augmented by his son ; with general tables, and many
compendious rules, 1592, 4to. He died not later than
1573. '
DIGGES (THOMAS), only son of the preceding Leo-
nard Digges, after a liberal education at home, studied f r
some time at Oxford ; and partly by the improvements he
made there, and the previous instructions of his learned
father, became one of the greatest mathematicians of his
age. Of his history, however, we only know that when.
queen Elizabeth sent some forces to assist the oppressed
inhabitants of the Netherlands, he was appointed muster-
master general, by which he hud an opportunity of be-
coming skilled in military affairs. The greater part of his
life must have been spent in his favourite studies, as be-
sides the revising, correcting, and enlarging some pieces
of his father's, already mentioned, he wrote and published
the following learned works himself: 1. " Ala? sire scalse
mathematical ; or mathematical wings or ladders," 1573,
4to ; containing several demonstrations for finding the
parallaxes of any comet or other celestial body ; with a
correction of the errors in the use of the radius astro-
nomicus. 2. " An arithmetical military treatise, con-
taining so much of arithmetic as is necessary towards mili-
tary discipline," 1579, 4to. 3. " A geometrical treatise,
named Stratioticos, requisite for the perfection of soldiers,"
1579, 4to. This was begun by his father, but finished by
himself. They were both reprinted together in 1590, with
several amendments and additions, under this title : u" An
arithmetical warlike treatise, named Stratioticos ; com-
pendiously teaching the science of numbers, as well in
fractions as integers, and so much of the rules and equa-
tions algebraical, and art of numbers cossical, as are re-
quisite for the profession of a souldier. Together with the
moderne militaire discipline, offices, lawes, and orders in
every well-governed campe and armie, inviolably to be
observed." At the end of this work there are two pieces ;
the first entitled " A briefe and true report of the pro-
ceedings of the earle of Leycester, for the reliefe of the
towne of Sluce, from his arrival at Vlishing, about the end
of June 1587, untill the surrendrie thereof, 26 Julii next
ensuing. Whereby it shall plainlie appear his excellencie
1 Ath. Ox. vol. L—Bio$, Brit.
G 2
84 D I G G E- S.
was not in anie fault for the losse of that towne ;" the se-
cond, " A briefe discourse what orders were best for re-
pulsing of foraine forces, if at any time they should invade
us by sea in Kent, or elsesvhere." 4. " A perfect descrip-
tion of the celestial orbs, according to the most ancient
doctrine of the Pythagoreans," &c. This was placed at
the end of his father's " Prognostication everlasting, &c."
printed in 1592, 4to. 5, " Humble motives for associa-
tion to maintain the religion established," 1601, 8vo. To
which is added, his " Letter to the same purpose to the
archbishops and bishops of England." 6. " England's
Defence ; or a treatise concerning invasion." This is a
tract of the same nature with that printed at the end of his
Stratioticos, and called, " A briefe discourse," &c. It
was written in 1599, but not published till 1686. 7. A
letter printed before Dr. John Dee's " Parallaticce com-
mentationis praxeosque nucleus quidam," 1573, 4to. Be-
sides these and his " Nova Corpora," he had by him se-
veral mathematical treatises ready for the press ; but law-
suits, which probably descended upon him with his patri-
mony, and were productive of pecuniary embarrassments,
broke in upon his studies, and embittered his days. He
died Aug. 24, 1595, and was buried in the chancel of the
church of Aldermanbury, London. Among his unpub-
lished works, was a Plan for the improvement of the Haven
and Mole of Dover, in 1582, which was communicated to
the Society of Antiquaries, and is printed in the " Archaeo-
logia," vol. XI. He married Agnes, daughter of sir Wil-
liam St. Leger, knt. l
DIGGES (SiR DUDLEY), eldest son of Thomas Digges,
just mentioned, was born in 1583, and entered a gentle-
man-commoner of University-college, in Oxford, 1598.
Having taken the degree of B. A. in 1601, he studied for
some time at the inns of court; and then travelled beyond
sea, having before received the honour of knighthood. On
his return he led a retired life till 1618, when he was sent
by James I. ambassador to the tzar, or emperor of Russia.
Two years after he was commissioned with sir Maurice Ab-
bot to go to Holland, in order to obtain the restitution of
O
goods taken by the Dutch from some Englishmen in the
East Indies. He was a member of the third parliament of
' Biog. Brit. — Ath. Ox. vol. I.— Bibliographer, No. XII. where are some cu-
rious extracts from his works.
D I G G E S. 85
James I. which met at Westminster, Jan. 30, 1621 ; but
was so rule compliant with the court measures, as to be
ranked a.^ong those whom the king called ill-tempered
spirits, lie was likewise a member of the first parliament
of Charles 1. in 1626 ; and not only joined with those emi-
nent patriots, who were for bringing Villiers duke of
Buckingham to an account, but was indeed one of the
most active managers in that affair, for which he was com-
"
mitted to the Tower, though soon released. He was again
member of the third parliament of Charles I. in 1628,
being one of the knights of the shire for Kent ; but seemed
to be more moderate in his opposition to the court than
he was in the two last, and voted for the dispatch of the
subsidies, yet opposed all attempts which he conceived to
be hostile to the liberties of his country, or the constitu-
tion of parliament. Thus, when sir John Finch, speaker
of the house of commons, on June 5, 1628, interrupted
sir John Elliot in the house, saying, " There is a command
laid upon me, that I must command you not to proceed ;"
sir Dudley Digges vented his uneasiness in these words :
" I am as much grieved as ever. Must we not proceed ?
Let us sit in silence : we are miserable : we know not what
to do." In April of the same year, he opened the grand
conference between the commons and lords, " concerning
the liberty of the person of every freeman," with a speech,
in which he made many excellent observations, tending to
establish the liberties of the subject. In all his parliamen-
tary proceedings, he appeared of such consequence, that
the court thought it worth their while to gain him over ;
and accordingly they tempted him with the advantageous
and honourable office of master of the rolls, of which he
had a reversionary grant Nov. 29, 1630, and became pos-
sessed of it April 20, 1636, upon the death of sir Julius
Csesar. But he did not enjoy it quite three years ; for he
died March 8, 1639, and his death was reckoned among
the public calamities of those times. He was buried at
Chilham church, in Kent, in which parish he had a good
estate, and built a noble house.
He was a worthy good man, and, as Philipot says, " a
great assertor of his country's liberty in the worst of times,
when the sluices of prerogative were opened, and the
banks of the law were almost overwhelmed with the inun-
dations of it." He is now chiefly known as the author of
86 D I G G E S.
several literary performance;, lie published, 1. "A De-
fence of Trade ; in a letter to sir Thomas Smith, km. go-
veri.or of the East India company," 1615, 4to ; and ai
his death there was printed under his name, 2. " A Dis-
course concerning the Rights and Privilege's of the Subjv
in a conference desired by the lords, and had by a com-
mittee of both houses April 3, 1628," 1642, *4to. At
this conference, it was, that sir Dudley made the speech
above-mentioned ; which is probably the same given here.
3. He made several speeches upon other occasions, inserted iu
Raaimorth's Collections, and ;' Ephemeris Parliamentarian1
4. He collected the letters that passed between the lord
Burleigh, sir Francis Waisingham, and others, about the
intended marriages of queen Elizabeth with the dnke of
Anjou, in 1570, and with the duke of Alencon in 15-;1,
\vhich were published in 16,55, under the title of "The
Complete Ambassador, &c." 16*5. folio.
Learning was long hereditary in this family. Sir Dudley
had a brother, Leonard, and a son Dudley, who were both
learned men and authors. His brother LEONARD, born in
1-588, was educated in University-college, Oxford, took
the degree of B. A. in 1606, removed to London ; and then
travelling beyond sea, studied in foreign universities: i'rcm
whence returning a good scholar, and an accomplished
person, he was created M. A. in 1626. His commendatory
verses to Shakspeare are prefixed to that poet's works. He
also translated from Spanish into English " Gerardo the
unfortunate Spaniard, 1622," 4to, written by Goncalo de
Cespades : and from Latin into English verse, " Clau-
clian's Rape of Proserpine, 1617," 4to. He died April
7, 1635, being accounted a good poet and orator; and a
great master of the English, French, and Spanish lan-
gua,
His son Drni.EY, who was his third son, was born about
1612, and educated ;;t Oxford, where he took the degree
of B. A. in 1632; and the year after was elected a fellow
\ll-souls' college. He took a master's degree in 1635;
and became a good poet and linguist, and a general
scholar. He died October 1, 1643; having distinguished
himself only by the two following productions: 1. " An
answer to a printed book entitled * Observations upon some
of his majesty's late answers and expresses,1" Oxon. 1642.
'2. " The unlawfulness of subjects taking up arms against
D I G G E -S. 87
their sovereign in what case soever; with answers to all
objections," Lond. 161-3, 4to. '
DILLENIUS (JoiiN JAMES), an eminent botanist, who
settled in England, was born at Darmstadt, in Germany,
in 1681. He was early intended for the study of physic,
and had the principal part of his education at the university
of Giessen, a city of Upper Hesse. Of all the parts of
science connected with the medical profession, he was
most attached to the cultivation of botany ; by which he
soon obtained so much reputation, that early in life he was
chosen a member of the Academia Curiosorum Germanise.
Ho\v well he deserved this honour, was apparent in his
papers published in the " Miscellanea Curiosa." The
first of his communications that we are acquainted with,
and which could not have been written later than 1715,
was a dissertation concerning the plants of America that
are naturalized in Europe. The subject is curious, and is
still capable of much farther illustration. A diligent in-
quiry into it weuld unquestionably prove that a far greater
number of plants than is usually imagined, and which are
now thought to be indigenous in Europe, were of foreign
origin. Besides the most obvious increase of them, owing
to their passage from the garden to the dunghill, and
thence to the field, they have been augmented in conse-
quence of various other causes, no small number of them
having been introduced and dispersed by the importatiou
of grain, the package of merchandise, and the clearing
out of ships; The English Flora of this kind, in its pre-
sent state, cannot perhaps contain fewer than sixty ac-
knowledged species ; and a critical examination would
probably add greatly to the catalogue. Another paper of
Diiienius's, published in the " Miscellanea Curiosa," was
a critical dissertation on the coffee of the Arabians, and on
European coffee, or such as may be prepared from grain
or pulse. In this dissertation he gives the result of his
own preparations made with pease, beans, and kidney-
beans ; but says, that from rye is produced what comes
the nearest to true coffee. In another paper he relates the
experiment which he made concerning some opium which
1 Biog. Brit. — Bibliographer, No. XII. iu which there are some particulars
of the family an;! their descendants, and a very interesting account of the
Worthies of W .., *ith whom ihe writer of that article may be justly classed.
— Ath. Ox. vols. I and H.
88 D I L L E N I U S.
he had prepared himself from the poppy of Europe
growth. In the same collection he shews himself as a /•
logist, in a paper on leeches, and in a description of t
species of the Papilio genus. In 1719, Dillenius excited
the notice of naturalists by the publication of his Catalogue
of plants growing in the neighbourhood of Giesseu. No-
thing can more strongly display the early skill and inde-
fatigable industry of Dillenius, than his being able to
produce so great a number of plants in so small a ti..
-He enumerates not fewer than 980 species ot what w.
then called the more perfect plants; that is, exclusiv.. .
of the mushroom class, and all the mosses. By the nu
of this performance, the character of Dillenius, us a truly
scientific botanist, was fixed ; and henceforward he at-
tracted the notice of all the eminent professors and ad-
mirers of the science. To this science no one was more
ardently devoted at that time in England, than William
Sherard, esq. who had been British consul at Smyrna, from
which place he had returned to his own country in 1718 ;
and who, soon after, had the honorary degree of LL. D.
conferred on him by the university of Oxford. Being par-
ticularly enamoured with Dillenius's discoveries in the
cryptogamia class, he entered into a correspondence with
him, which ripened into a close friendship. In 1721, Dr.
Sherard, in the pursuit of his botanical researches, made
the tour of Holland, France, and Italy, much to the ad-
vantage of the science ; but what in an especial manner
rendered his travels of consequence to the study of nature
in our own country, was, that on his return he brought
Dillenius with him to England. It was in the month of
August in the same year that this event took place ; and
Dillenius had not long resided in England before he un-
dertook a work that was much desired, a new edition of
the " Synopsis stirpium Britannicarum" of Ray, which
was become scarce. This edition of the " Synopsis" seems
to have been the most popular of all his publications.
During the former years of Dillenius in England, his
time appears to have been divided between the country
residence of Mr, James Sherard, at Eltham, in Kent ; the
consul's house in town ; and his own lodgings, which in
1728 were in Barking-alley. At the latter end of 1727,
Dillenius was so doubtful concerning what might be the
state of his future circumstances, that he entertained 4
D I L L E N I U S. 89
design of residing in Yorkshire. This scheme did not take
effect; and on Aug. 12, 1728, Dr. William Sherard died,
and by his will gave 3000/. to provide a salary for a pro-
fessor of botany at Oxford, on condition that Dillenius
should be chosen the first professor; and he bequeathed
to the establishment his botanical library, his herbarium,
and his pinax. The university of Oxford having waved
the right of nomination, in consequence of Dr. Sherard's
benefaction, Dillenius now arrived at that situation which
had probably been the chief object of his wishes, the
asylum, against future disappointments, and the field of
all that gratification which his taste and pursuits prompted
him to desire, and qualified him to enjoy. He was placed
likewise in the society of the learned, and at the fountain
of every information which the stores of both ancient and
modern erudition could display to an inquisitive mind.
One of the principal employments of Dr. William Sherard
was the compilation of a pinax, or collection of all the
names which had been given by botanical writers to each
plant. After the death of Sherard, our professor zealously
fulfilled the will of his benefactor, in the care he took of
his collection, which he greatly augmented. But he was
not a little chagrined at the want of books, and the means
of purchasing them. Another undertaking in which our
author was engaged, was the " Hortus Elthamensis." In
this elegant and elaborate work, of which Linnaeus says,
" Est opus botanicum quo absolutius mundus non vidit,"
417 plants are described and figured with the most cir-
cumstantial accuracy. They are all drawn and etched by
Dillenius's own hand, and consist principally of such
exotics as were then rare, or had but lately been intro-
duced into England. The sale of this work, which was
published in London, 1732, fol. did not by any means cor-
respond with its merit. So limited was the attention at
that time paid to botanical objects, that the " Hortus
Elthamensis" found but few purchasers. Dillenius cut up
a considerable number of copies, as papers to hold his
Hortus Siccus ; and in despair of selling the remainder,
through the recommendation of his friend Gronovius, dis-
posed of them, together with the plates, to a Dutch book-
seller, who broke ; so that our author lost the whole
of the little profit he had expected to derive from the sale.
April 3, 1735, he was admitted to the degree of M. D. in
D I L L E N I U S.
the university of Oxford. His former degree of the same
kind had probably been taken at Giessen. In the summer
of 1736 he had the honour of a visit at Oxford from the
celebrated Linnaeus, who returned with the highest opinion
of his merit ; and from this period a correspondence was
carried on between them*. After the publication of the
Hortus Elthamensis, Billenius pursued his " History of
Mosses" with great application ; in the prosecution of
which he enjoyed every desirable assistance. There is the
utmost reason to believe that Dillenius intended to have
undertaken the funguses as well as the mosses ; which de-
sign he appears to have had in contemplation not long
after his settlement in this country. Dillenius is said to
have heen of a corpulent habit of body ; which circum-
stance, united to his close application to study, might
probably contribute to shorten his days. In the last week
of March, 1747, he was seized with an apoplexy, and died
on the 2d of April, in the sixtieth year of his age. Con-
cerning Dillenius's domestic character, habits, temper,
and dispositions, there is but slender information. The
account of his contemporaries was, that he was moderate,
* This good opinion was not at first
reciprocal. According to the account
of their first and subsequent inier; lews-,
J)illenius did not exhibit those pio'ifs
of a liberal mi nil which might have
been expected from one who had him-
yelt'been iiKlebt.d so much to the li-
berality of others. See Stoever's Lite
of Linnaeus, p. 90, et seqq. But the
ingenious writer of his life in the Cy-
cloppedi . that although l)il-
lenius was priTaously rather unfa-
vourably deposed towards the refor-
mat! ..-us and innovations of J.iniircus,
a^ tending to create difficulty niiij con-
fusion in the first instance. lie vxm
forgot all such prejudices, and these
two great men became mutually at-
tached, as honest liberal culiivalurs of
M> liberal and pleasing a .science ought
to be. Dillenius wished to fix Lin-
naeus at Oxford, as his coadjutor in
the Pinaxj and if fir H;ms Sluaue had
been equally discerning and equally
.liberal, the illustrious Swede might
have been naturalized airici
The errors of Dillenius respecting the
fructification of mosses, were too im-
plicitly adopted by Liunxus against
his own judgment asid observation ; and
hence a totally erroneous use of terms
has prevailed in bis works and those
of his followers, to the present day.
In his " Flora Lapponica," he often
cites Dillenius, especially concerning
willows, for information respecting sy-
nonyms, that is erroneous ; but his
own remarks being subjoined, we are
guarded against any errors that aright
ensue from such high authority. The
" Critica Botanica" of Linnaeus was
dedicated to the Sherardian professor,
as being, from his peculiar occupation
and duty, more than any other person,
aware of the evils arising from confu-
sion in botanical nomenclature, and
the praise and respect habitual in de-
dications, have rarely been so sincerely
bestowed, or >o justly deserved. Lin-
naeus remarked in a Idler to IJalier,
INlay 1, 1737, that " Dillenius was the
only person then in Kngland who either
il about or understood the genera
of plants ;" a degree of scientific com-
mendation, which in any ag-e or coun-
try, can bo extended to v
sons. Nor did he to whom
applied, long continue in the same de-
gree lo deserve it.
D I L L E N I U S. 91
temperate, and gentle in all his conduct; that he was
known to few who did not seek him ; and, as might he
expected from the hent of his suidies, and die close appli-
cation he gave to them, that his habits were of the recluse
kind. From the perusal of some of his letters it may he
collected that he was naturally endowed with a placid dis-
position, improved hy a philosophical calmness of mind,
which secured him in a considerable degree from the ef-
fects of the evils incident to life. In one of these he ex-
presses himself as follows : " For my little time, 1 have
met with as man*-* adversities and misfortunes as any body;
which, by the help of exercise, amusement, and reading
some of the stoic philosophers, I have overcome ; and am
resolved that nothing shall afflict me more. Many things
here, as well as at my home, that have happened to me, would
cut down almost any body. But two days ago I had a let-
ter, acquainting me with a very near relation's death,
whom 1 was obliged to assist with money in his calamities,
in order to set him up again in business ; and now this is
all gone, and there is something more for me to pay, which
is not a little for me; but it does not at all affect me. I
rather thank God .that it is not worse. This is only one,
and I have had harder strokes than this ; and there lie still
some upon me." His drawings, dried plants, printed
books, and manuscripts, &c. were left by our author to
Dr. Seidel, his executor ; by whom they were sold to Dr.
Sihthorpe, his ingenious and learned successor in the bo-
tanical professorship. They have been frequently studied
by succeeding botanists, .as may be found recorded in the
works of Lightfoot, Dickson, Turner, Smith, and others;
the present amiable professor, Dr. George Williams, being
happy at all times to render them useful, and to forward
the views of the truly excellent founder.1
DILLON (Wi-NTWORTii, Karl of ROSCOMMON), an
English poet, was born in Ireland about 1633, while the
\ernment of that kingdom was under the first earl of
Srraiford, to whom he was nephew; his father, sir James
Dillon, third earl of Roscominon, having married Eliza-
beth the youngest daughter of sir William Wenuvorth, of
Wentworth-Woodhouse, in the county of York, sister to
the earl of Stratford. Hence lord Roscommon was chris-
1 Bio;:. Brit. — Pulteney's Sketches. — Stoever's Life of Linnaeus.— Rees's Cy-
clops."! i;i.
92 D I L L O X.
tened Wentivorth*. He was educated in the protestant
religion, his father (who died at Limerick in 1619) having
been converted by archbishop Usher from the communion
of the church of Rome; and passed the years of his in-
fancy in Ireland. He was brought over to England by his
uncle, on his return from the government of Ireland*, and
placed at that nobleman's seat in Yorkshire, under the
tuition of Dr. Hall, erroneously* said to have been after-
wards bishop of Norwich. The celebrated Hall was at this
time a bishop, and far advanced in years. By this Dr.
Hall, whoever he was, he was instructed in Latin ; and,
without learning the common rules of grammar, which he
could never remember, attained to write that language
with classical elegance and propriety. When the cloud
began to gather over England, and the earl of Strafford
was singled out for an impeachment, he was, by the advice
of Usher, sent to finish his education at Caen in Nor-
mandy, where the protestants had then an university, and
studied under the direction of the learned Bochart ; but at
this time he could not have been more than nine years old.
After some years he travelled to Rome, where he grew
familiar with the most valuable remains of antiquity, apply-
ing himself particularly to the knowledge of medals, \vhich
he gained to perfection ; and he spoke Italian with so much
grace and fluency, that he was frequently mistaken there
for a native.
Soon after the restoration, he returned to England,*
where he was graciously received by Charles II. and made
captain of the band of pensioners. In the gaieties of that
age, he was tempted to indulge a violent passion for
gaming; by which he frequently hazarded his life in duels,
and exceeded the bounds of a moderate fortune. A dis-
* These circumstances were first print prefixed to his Poems (some edi-
pointed out by Mr. Nichols, in a note tion probably about the and of the
on bis " Select Collection of Poems," last century) was very like him; and
vol. VI. p. 54. It had been generally that he very strongly resembled his
said by preceding biographers, that the noble uncle. It is not generally
earl M'nt for him " after the breaking known that all the particulars of lord
out of the civil wars." But, if his lord- Roscommon, related by Fenton, are
ship sent for him at all, it must have taken from this Life by Clietwode, with
been at some earlier period; for he which he was probably furnished hy
himself was beheaded before the civil Mr. T. Baker, who left them with
war can properly be said to have be- many other MSS. to the library of St.
gun. No print of lord Roscommon is John's college, Cambridge. The Life
known to exist ; though Dr. Chetwode, of lord Roscommon is very ill-written,
in a MS life of him, says, that tke and full of common-place obscivatiou-.
DILLON. 93
pute with the lord privy seal, about part of his estate,
obliging him to revisit his native country, he resigned his
post in the English court; and, soon after his arrival at
Dublin, the duke of Ormond appointed him to be captain
of the guards. Mrs. Catharine Phillips, in a letter to sir
Charles Cotterel, Dublin, Oct. 19, 1662, styles him " a
very ingenious person, of excellent natural parts, and cer-
tainly the most hopeful young nobleman in Ireland." How-
ever, he still retained the same fatal affection for gaming;
and, this engaging him in adventures, he was near being
assassinated one night by three ruffians, who attacked him
in the dark ; but defended himself with so much resolu-
tion, that he dispatched one of them, while a gentleman
coming up, disarmed another ; and the third secured him-
self by flight. This generous assistant wras a disbanded
officer, of a good family and fair reputation, but whose
circumstances were such, that he wanted even cloaths to
appear decently at the castle. Lord Roscommon, on this
occasion, presenting him to the duke of Ormond, obtained
his grace's leave to resign to him his post of captain of the
guards : which for about three years the gentleman en-
joyed ; and upon his death the duke returned the commis-
sion to his generous benefactor.
The pleasures of the English court, and the friendships
he had there contracted, were powerful motives for his re-
turn to London. Soon after he came, he was made mas-
ter of the horse to the duchess of York ; and married the
lady Frances, eldest daughter of the earl of Burlington,
and widow of colonel Courtney. He began now to distin-
guish himself by his poetry ; and about this time projected
a design, in conjunction with his friend Dryden, for re-
fining and fixing the standard of our language. But this
was entirely defeated by the religious commotions that
were then increasing daily; at which time the earl took a
resolution to pass the remainder of his life at Rome, telling
his friends, " it would be best to sit next to the chimney
when the chamber smoked," a sentence of which, Dr.
Johnson says, the application seems not very clear.
Amidst these reflections, being seized with the gout, he
was so impatient either of hindrance or of pain, that he
submitted himself to a French empiric, who is said to have
repelled the disease into his bowels. At the moment in
which he expired he uttered, with an energy of voice that
94 DILLON.
expressed the most fervent devotion, two lines of his own
version of " Dies Ira? :"
" My God, my Father, and my Friend,
Do not forsake me in my end."
He died Jan. 17, 168-t ; and was buried with great pomp in
Westminster- abbey.
His poems, which are not numerous, are in the body of
English poetry collected by Dr. Johnson. His " Essay on
Translated Verse," and bis translation of " Horace's Art of
Poetry," have great merit. Waller addressed a poem to
his lordship upon the latter, when he was 7.5 years of age.
*' In the writings of this nobleman we view," says Fenton,
" the image of a mind naturally serious and solid; richly
furnished and adorned with all the ornaments of art and
science; and those ornaments unaffectedly disposed in the
most regular and elegant order. His imagination might
probably have been more fruitful and sprightly, if his
judgment had been less severe ; but that severity (de-
Jivered in a masculine, clear, succinct style) contributed
to make him so eminent in the didactical manner, that no
man, with justice, can affirm he was ever equalled by any
of our nation, without confessing at the same time that he
is inferior to none. In some other kinds of writing his ge-
nius seems to have wanted fire to attain the point of per-
fection ; but who can attain it ? He was a man of an
amiable composition, as well as a good poet; as Pope, in
his ' Essay on Criticism,' had testified in the following lines:
' Roscommon not more learn'd than good,
With manners generous as his noble blood ;
To him the wit of Greece and Rome was known,
And every author's merit but his own.' "
We must allow of Roscommon, what Fenton has not
mentioned so distinctly as he ought, and, what is yet very
much to his honour, that he is perhaps the only correct
writer in verse before Addison ; and that, if there are not
so many or so great beauties in his compositions as in those
of some contemporaries, there are at least fewer faults.
Xor is this his highest praise ; for Pope has celebrated
him as the only moral writer of king Charles's reign :
•• I ahappy Dryden ! in all Charles's days,
Roscommon only boasts unspotted lays."
" Of Roscommon's works," says Dr. Johnson, " the
judgment of the public seems to be right. He is elegant,
DILLON. 95
but not great ; he never labours after exquisite beavities,
and he seldom falls into gross faults. His versification is
smooth, but rarely vigorous, and his rhymes are remark-
ably exact. He improved taste, if he did not enlarge
knowledge, and may be numbered among the benefactors
to English literature." Nor ought it to be forgot, that he
was the first critic who had tire taste and spirit publicly to
praise the " Paradise Lost ;" with a noble encomium on
which, and a rational recommendation of blank verse, he
concludes his " Kosay on Translated Verse," though this
passage was not in the first edition. l
DiLWORTH (THOMAS), a diligent schoolmaster, was
many years settled in Wapping, and is known by an use-
ful " Spelling Book," where, in imitation of his predeces-
sors, he has favoured the public with a print of himself.
He wrote besides, " The young Book-keeper's Assistant,'*
Svo. £ " The Schoolmaster's Assistant," 12mo; and
3. " Miscellaneous Arithmetic," 12mo, all of them many-
times printed. He died Jan. 17, 1780. To this brief no-
., from the last edition of this Dictionary, perhaps of
little importance, we may add, that there wa-j, about fifty
or sixty years ago, a W. H. Dilworth, M. A. the author of
many abridged Lives and Histories, price one shilling
each, " adorned with cuts," such as " The Life of Alex-
ander Pope, esq. with the Secret History of Himself and
the Noble Lords his patrons ;" " The Life of Dean Swift,
with a thousand agreeable incidents," &c. &c. He appears
to have been the legitimate successor of Robert Burton,
and probably, like him, may one day be elevated from the
hawker's stall to the collector's library.2
DIMSDALE (THOMAS, Baron), a celebrated inoculator
for the small pox, was the son of John Dimsdale of They-
don Gernon, near Kpping in Essex, a surgeon and apothe-
cary, by Susan, daughter of Thomas Bowyer of Albury-
hail, in the parish of Albury, near Hertford. He was born
in 1712, and received his first medical knowledge from his
' O
father, and at St. Thomas's hospital. He commenced
practice at Hertford about 1734, where he married the
only daughter of Nathaniel Brassey, esq. of Roxford, an
eminent banker in London. This lady died in 1744, leav-
ing no children ; and to relieve his mind under this loss,
1 Biog, Brit. — Life by Johnson. — Nichols's PoeniSj vol. VI,
* Lust edition of this Dictiuuary, &«.
96 D I M S D A L E.
Mr. Dimsdale joined the medical staff of the duke of Cum-
berland's army, then on its way to suppress the rebellion
in Scotland. In this situation he remained until the sur-
render of Carlisle to the king's forces, when he received
the duke's thanks, and returned to Hertford. In 1746 he
married Anne lies, a relation of his first wife, and by her
fortune, and that which he acquired by the death of the
widow of sir John Dimsdale of Hertford, he was enabled to
retire from practice; but his family becoming numerous,
he resumed it, and took the degree of M. D. in 1761.
Having fully satisfied himself about the new method of
treating persons under inoculation for the small-pox, he
published his treatise on the subject in 1766, which was
soon circulated over the continent, and translated into all
languages. His particular opinion may be learned from
the conclusion, in which he says that, " although the whole
process may have some share in the success, it consists
chiefly in the method of inoculating with recent fluid mat-
ter, and the management of the patients at the time of
eruption." This proof of his professional knowledge oc-
casioned his being invited to inoculate the empress Cathe-
rine of Russia, and her son, in 1768, of which he gives a
very particular and interesting account in his "Tracts on
Inoculation," printed in 1781. Never, perhaps, did the
empress display her courage and good sense to more ad-
vantage than in submitting to an operation, of which she
could have no experience in her own country, and where
at that time it was the subject of uncommon dread and
alarm. Nor was her liberal conduct towards Dr. Dimsdale
less praiseworthy. He was immediately appointed actual
counsellor of state and physician to her imperial majesty,
with an annuity of 500/. the rank of a baron of the Russian
empire, to descend to his eldest son, and a black wing
of the Russian eagle in a gold shield in the middle of his
arms, with the customary helmet, adorned with the baron's
coronet, over the shield. He also received at the same
time, the sum of 10,000/., and 2000/. for travelling charges,
and miniature pictures of the empress and her son, &c.
The baron now inoculated great numbers of people at
Petersburgh and Moscow; but resisted the empress's invi-
tation to reside as her physician in Russia. He and his
son, Dr. Nath. Dimsdale, were afterwards admitted to a
private audience of Frederick III. king of Prussia, at Sans
Souci, and thence returned to England, and for some time
D I M S D A L E. 97
the baron resumed practice at Hertford. In 1776, he pub-
lished " Thoughts on general and partial Inoculation," 8vo;
and two years after, " Observations on the Introduction to
the plan of the Dispensary for general Inoculation," 8vo.
This involved him in a controversy with Dr. Lettsom, in
•which he opposed the above plan for inoculating the poor
at their own houses; and opened an inoculation-house,
under his own direction, for persons of all ranks in the
neighbourhood of Hertford, which was resorted to with
success. His controversy with Dr. Lettsom was carried on
in the following pamphlets : " Dr. Lettsom's letter on Ge-
neral Inoculation ;" " Remarks on Ditto," 8vo; " Review
of Dr. Lettsom's observations on the Baron's Remarks ;"
" Letter to Dr. Lettsom on his Remarks, &c." "Answer to
Baron Dimsdale's Review," and " Considerations on the
plan, &c." In 1781 he printed the " Tracts on Inocula-
tion," already mentioned, which were liberally distributed,
but not sold.
Bar.on Dimsdale afterwards opened a banking-house in
Cornhill, in partnership with his sons, and the Barnards,
which still flourishes under the firm of Barnard, Dimsdale,
and Dimsdale. In 1779 he lost his second wife, by whom
he had seven children, and afterwards married Elizabeth,
daughter of William Dimsdale of Bishops- Stortford, who
survived him. In 1780 he was elected representative for
the borough of Hertford, and declined all practice, except
for the relief of the poor. He went, however, once more
to Russia, in 1781, where he inoculated the present em-
peror and his brother Constantino ; and as he passed
through Brussels, the late emperor of Germany, Joseph,
received him with great condescension. In 1790 he re-
signed his seat in parliament, and passed some winters at
Bath; but at length fixed altogether at Hertford, where
he died Dec. 30, 1800. His remains were interred in the
Quakers' burying-ground at Bishops- Stortford. His family
were originally quakers. '
DINANTO (DAVID DE), an heretic of the thirteenth
century, was a disciple of Amauri or Almaric, who im-
bibed many errors from the study of Aristotle, and fell
under the ecclesiastical censure of the second council of
Paris. (See AMAURI). The writings both of Amauri and
Dinanto were condemned to be burned, which sentence
i Gent. May. vol. LXXl. 88, COP, 069,
VOL. XIL M
9g DIN A N T O.
xvas folldwed by a general prohibition of the use of the
physical and metaphysical writings of Aristotle in the
schools, by the synod of Paris, and afterwards, under pope
Innocent III. by the council of the Laternu. Dinanto ex-
pressed the fundamental principle of his master in the fol-
lowing proposition, " God is the primary matter and sub-
stance of all things." He composed a work entitled
"Quaternarii," with several other productions, which were
chiefly designed to atfect and gain the multitude, in which
lie partly succeeded until b.e was obliged to save himself
by flight. '
D1XARCHUS, an orator of Greece, the son of Sostra-
tus, and a disciple of Thcophrastus, was a native of Attica,
or of Corinth, and earned a great deal of money by com-
posing harangues, at a time when the city of Athens was
without orators. Being accused of receiving bribes from
the enemies of the republic, he took to flight, and did not
return till fifteen years afterwards, about the year 340 be-
fore Christ. Of 64 harangues which, according to Plu-
tarch, he composed, and which Photins says he read, only
three have come down to us, in the collection of Stephens,
1575, folio, or in that of Venice, 1513, 3 vols. folio. His
oration against Demosthenes is the most remarkable of
thesej and abounds in personal invective of the grossest
kind. Dionysias cf Halicarnassus used to call him Demo-
sthenes the savage, meaning probably that he had some of
his eloquence deformed bv his own malice and temper.1
DJNGLKY (ROBERT], second son of sir John Dingley,
knt. by a sister of Dr. Henry Hammond, was born in Surrey
in 1619, and educated at Magdalen college, Oxford;
where he was a strict observer of all church ceremonies.
He afterwards became a zealous puritan j and was remark-
ably active in ejecting such as were, by that party, styled
ignorant and scandalous ministers and school-masters. He
was rector of Brighton, in the Isle of Wight, when his
kinsman colonel Hammond was governor there. The Ox-
ford antiquary has given us a catalogue of his works, the
most extraordinary of which is : " The Deputation of An-
gels, or the Angel Guardian ; 1. proved by the divine
light of nature, &c. 2. from many i"l)bs and mistakes, &c.
3. applied and improved for our information, &c. chiefly
1 Mosheim. — T'rvK.-'ker. — Fabric. Bib!. Lai. Mni.— *Mureri,
* Morcii. — Saxii Unoiuaau
D I N G L E Y. 9'j
grounded on Acts xii. 15." London, 1654, Svo. He died
vin 1659, and was buried in the chancel of BrigUton church.1
DING. SeeDINUS.
DINOCRATES, a celebrated ancient architect of
Macedonia, of whom several extraordinary tilings are
related, lived in the 112th olympiad, or 332 B. C. —
Vitruvius tells us, that, when Alexander the Great had
conquered all his enemies, Dinocrates, full of great con-
ceptions, and relying upon them, went from Macedonia
to the army, with a view of acquiring his notice and fa-
vour. He carried letters recommendatory to the nobles
about him, who received him very graciously, and promised
to introduce him to the king ; but suspecting, from some
delays, that they were not serious, he resolved at length
to introduce himself; and for this purpose conceived the
following project. He anointed his body all over with oil,
and crowned his temples with poplar; then he flung a lion's
skin over his left shoulder, and put a club into his right
hand. Thus accoutred, he appeared in the court, where
the king was administering justice. The eyes of the peo-
ple being naturally turned upon so striking a spectacle,
tor, in addition to his singular garb, he was tall, well pro-
portioned, and very handsome ; the king asked him, who
he was ? " I am," says he, " Dinocrates the Macedonian
architect, and bring to your majesty thoughts and designs
that are worthy of your greatness : for I have laid out the
mount Athos.into the form of a man, in whose left hand 1
have designed the walls of a great city, and all the rivers
of the mount to tiow into his right, and from thence into
the sea." Alexander seemed amused with this vast project,
but very wisely declined putting it in execution. He kept
the architect, however, and took him into Egypt, where
he employed him in marking out and building the city of
Alexandria. Another memorable instance of Dinocrates's
architectonic skill is his restoring and building, in a more
august and magnificent manner than before, the celebrated
temple of Diana at Ephesus, after Herostratus, for the sake
of immortalizing his name, had destroyed it by fire. A
third instance, more extraordinary and wonderful than
either of the former, is related by Pliny in his Natural
History; who tells us, that he had formed a scheme, by
building the dome of the temple of Arsinoe at Alexandria,
i Ath. Ox. vol. H.
n ?
loo D I N O C R A T E S.
of loadstone, to make her image all of iron hang in the
middle of it, as if it were in the air. Dinocrates probably
deserves great credit as an architect, but such foolish sto-
O *
ries as this last must be placed to the account of the cre-
dulity of the times in which Pliny wrote, and of which he
largely partook. '
DINOSTRATES was an ancient geometrician, whom
some authors have erroneously represented as a disciple of
Pythagoras, but who, according to Proclus, lived in the
time of Plato, about 360 B. C. and was a disciple of the latter
in philosophy. He was chiefly distinguished for his know-
ledge of geometry, and was the brother of Menechmus,
who amplified the theory of the conic sections. Dinostrates
also is said to have made many geometrical discoveries ;
but he is particularly distinguished as the inventor of the
quadratrix, by which the quadrature of the circle is effect-
ed, though isot geometrically, but only mechanically.
Montucla, howev-. T, observes that there is some reason for
ascribing the original invention of this curve to Hippias of
Elaea, an ingemous philosopher and geometer, contem-
porary with Socrates.2
DINOUART (ANTHONY JOSEPH TOUSSAINT), canon of
the chapter of St. Bennet at Paris, and member of the
academy of the Arcades at Rome, was born of a reputable
family at Amiens, Nov. 1, 1715, and died at Paris April 23,
1786. After exercising the ministerial functions in the
place of his nativity, he repaired to the capital to engage
in literary pursuits. M. Joly le Fleuri, at that time avo-
eat-g6n£ral, gave him his esteem, his confidence, and his
patronage. He was first employed on the "Journal Chre-
tien," under the abbe Joannetj and the zeal with which
he attacked certain authors, and especially M. de Saint-
Foix, involved him in some unpleasant controversy. He had
represented this latter as an infidel seeking every occasion
for mixing pestilential notions in whatever he wrote. Saint-
Foix took up the affair with warmth, and brought an action
against both him and abbe Joannet, which terminated in a
O *
sort of reparation made him by the two journalists, in their
periodical publication. After this the abbe Dinouart be-
gan to write on his own account, and in October 1 760, set
up his "Journal Ecclesiastique," or, Library of ecclesias-
tical knowledge, which he continued till his death. He
i Moreri.— Vilruvius, lib. II.— Pliny, lib. XXXIV.
i.— HuUon's Math. Diet, in art. Quadratnx.—- Pv«es'< Cyclopaedia.
D I N O U A R T. 101
established a very extensive correspondence with the pro-
vincial clergy, who consulted him on the difficulties of their
ministration. This correspondence contributed greatly to
the recommendation of his journal, which contained in-
structions in all matters of church discipline, morality, and
ecclesiastical history. The editor indeed made no scruple
of drawing almost all his materials from well-known books,
without altering a word ; he inserted, for example, in his
journal, all the ecclesiastical part of Hardion's Universal
History ; but it was useful to the inferior provincial
clergy, who were deficient in libraries, and not sorry to
have their loss in some shape made up by the periodical
compilation of abbe Dinouart. Other critics censured him
for giving an incoherent assortment of articles ; for adver-
tising, for instance, in the same leaf, " Balm of Genevieve,"
and " Sermons to be sold" for the use of young orators
who would not take the trouble to compose them ; imi-
tating in this a quack of our own nation, who used to ad-
vertise sermons, marmalade, and rules for carving. Di-
nouart, however, bears a reputable personal character. He
was naturally of a kind disposition and a sensible heart.
The great vivacity of his temper, which hurried him some-
times into transient extravagancies, which he was the first
to condemn in himself, prompted also his activity to
oblige, for which he never let any opportunities escape him.
He generally wrote in a loose, negligent, and incorrect
manner, both in verse and prose, and even aspired to be
thought a French and Latin poet ; but still the usefulness
of the greater part of his works recommended them.
Among them, we find, 1. " Embriologie sacre'e, traduite
du Latin de Cangiamila," 12mo. 2. " Hymnes Latines."
3. " Manuel des pasteurs," 3 vols. 12mo. 4. " La llhe-
torique du predicateur, ou Traite de 1'eloquence du corps,'*
12mo. 5. A new edition of the " Abrege" chronologique
de Phistoire ecclesiastique de Pabbe Macquer," Paris,
1768, 3 vols. 3vo. 6. "Anecdotes ecclesjastiques," ibid.
1772, 2 vols. 8vo, in which he was assisted by the abbd
Jaubert.1
DIN US, or DING, a native of Mugello in Tuscany,
was a very learned lawyer and professor of law at Bologna,
in the thirteenth century, and indeed accounted the first
man of his time for knowledge, eloquence, and style both
» Diet. Hist.
102 D I N U S.
of speaking and writing. Pope Boniface VIII. employed
him in compiling the fourth book of the Decretals,
called the Sextus. He died at Bologna in 1303, as it is
o *
said, of chagrin. He had entered into the church, and
been disappointed of rising according to what he thought
his deserts. Of his works, his " Commentarium in regulas
juris Pontificii," Svo, was so valuable that Alciat reckoned
it one of those books which a student ought to get by
heart, a character which it ceased to support when Charles
du Moulin pointed out a great many errors in it. His
other publication is entitled " De glossis contrariis," 2
vo!s. fol.1
DIO or DION CASSIUS, an ancient historian, known
also by the surnames of Cocceius or Cocceianus, was born
at Nicsea, a city of Bithyuia, and flourished in the third
century. His father Aproniatius, a man of consular dig-
nity, was governor of Dalmatia, and some time after pro-
consul of Cilicia, under the emperors Trajan and Adrian.
Dio was with his father in Cilicia ; and from thence went
to Rome, where he distinguished himself by public plead-
ings. From the reign of Commodus he was a senator of
Rome ; was made prtetor of the city under Pertinax ; and
raised at length to the consulship, which he held twice,
and exercised the second time, jointly with the emperor
Alexander Severus. He had passed through several great
employments under the preceding emperors. Macrinus
had made him governor of Pergamus and Smyrna ; he
commanded some time in Africa ; and afterwards had the
administration of Austria and Hungary, then called Pan-
nonia, committed to him. He undertook the task of writ-
ing history, as he informs us himself, because he was ad-
monished and commanded to do it by a vision from heaven ;
and he tells us also, that he spent ten years in collecting
materials for it, and twelve more in composing it. His
history began from the building of Rome, and proceeded
to the reign of Alexander Severus. It was divided into
SO books, or eight decades ; many of which are not now
extant. The first 34 books are lost, with part of the 35th.
The 25 following are preserved intire; but instead of the
last 20, of which nothing more than fragments remain, we
have only the epitome, which Xiphtliuus, a monk of Cou-
1 Moreri. — Tiraboschi.— Diet. Hist. — Dupin.— Freheri Theatruiu.— Fabric.
B.bl. Lat. Med.
DIG. 103
stantinople, has given of them. Photius observes, that he
wrote his Roman history, as others had also done, not
from the foundation of Home only, but from the descent
of^neas into Iialy ; which he continued to the year of
Home 982, and of Christ 228, when, as we have observed,
he was consul a second time with the emperor Alexander
Severus. What we now have of it, begins with the expe-
dition of Lucullus against Mithridates king of Pontus, about
the year of Home eiS4, and ends with the death of the
emperor Claudius about the year 80G.
Though all that is lost of this historian is much to be re-
gretted, yet that is most so which contains the history of
the forty !^st years ; for within this period he was an eye-
witness of all that passed, and a principal actor in a great '
part. Before the reign of Com mod us, he could relate
nothing but what he had from the testimony of others ;
after that, every thing fell under his own cognizance; and
a man of his quality, who had spent his life in the manage-
ment of great affairs, and had read men as well as books,
must have had many advantages in delineating the history
of his own times ; »and it is even now allowed, that no man
has revealed more of those state-secrets, which Tacitus
styles arcana imperil, and of which he makes so high a
mystery. He is also very exact and full in his descriptions,
in describing the order of the comitia, the establishing of
magistrates, &c. and, as to what relates to the apothcosi-,
or consecration of emperors, perhaps he is the only writur
who has given us a good account of it, if we except Ilero-
dian, who yet seemh to have been greatly indebted to him.
Besides his descriptions, there are several of his speeches,
which have been highly admired ; those particularly of
Maecenas and Agrippa, upon the question, whether Au-
gustus should resign the empire or no. Yet he has been
exceedingly blamed for his partiality, which to some has
appeared so great, as almost to invalidate the credit of
his whole history ; of those parts at least, where he can be
supposed to have been the least interested. The instances
alleged are his partiality for Caesar against Pompey, for
Antony against Cicero, and his strong prejudices against
Seneca. " The obvious cause of the prejudice which Dio
had conceived against Cicero," Dr. Middleton supposes
" to have been his envy to a man who for arts and elo-
quence was thought to eclipse the fame of Greece-;11 but
he adds another reason, not less probable, deducible from
lOi D I O.
Dio's character and principles, which were wholly oppo-
site to those of Cicero. " For Dio," as he says, " flou-
rished under the most tyrannical of the emperors, by whom
he was advanced to great dignity ; and, being the creature
of despotic power, thought it a proper compliment to it,
to depreciate a name so highly revered for its patriotism,
and whose writings tended to revive that ancient zeal and
spirit of liberty for which the people of Rome were once
so celebrated : for we find him taking all occasions in his
history, to prefer an absolute and monarchical govern-
ment to a free and democratical one, as the most bene-
ficial to the Roman state."
Dio obtained leave of the emperor Severus to retire to
Nicaea, where he spent the latter part of his life. He is
supposed to have been about seventy years old when he
died ; although the year of his death is not certainly known.
His History was first printed at Paris, 1548, fol. by Robert
Stephens, with only the Greek; but has been reprinted
since with a Latin translation by Leunclavius, Hanov. 1592,
fol. The best edition, however, is that of Reimarus, Ham-
burgh, 1750, 2 vols. fol. which was begun by Fabricius.
Photius ranks the style of Dio Cassius amongst the most
elevated. Dio seems, he says, to have imitated Thucy-
clicles, whom he follows, especially in his narratives and
orations; but he has this advantage over him, that he can-
not be reproached with obscurity. Besides his History,
Suidas ascribes to him some other compositions; as, 1.
" The Life of the Philosopher Arrianus. " 2. " The Ac-
tions of Trajan ;" and 3. certain " Itineraries." Ra-
phael Volaterranus makes him also the author of three
books, entitled " De Principe," and some small treatises
of morality. His History, as abridged by Xiphilinus, was
translated into English by Manning, and published at
London, 1704, 2 vols. Svo. 1
DIO CHRYSOSTOM, the son of Pasicrates, was born
at Prusa in Bithynia. We have just seen that Dio Cas-
, sius had the name of Cocceius or Cocceianus, and accord-
ing to Mr. Wakefield, Dio Chrysostom had the same name'
from his patron Cocceius ; but as an entire century inter-
vened between these two Dio's, it is impossible that Cas-
sius could have derived that name from the same cause.
1 Fabric. Bib!. Gra-c. — Vossius Hist. Grace. — Middleton's preface to the Life
«f Cicero. — tiouut's Ceusura. — Saxii Onoma&U,
D I O. 105
It is more certain, however, that the subject of the present
article was called Chrysostom, or golden mouthed, from
the elegance and purity of his compositions. This name
has occasioned a frequent confusion of our Dio Chrysostom
with John Chrysostom, the Christian preacher, so deno-
minated for the same solid and splendid excellencies of his
style. Dio Chrysostom, under Nero and Vespasian, main-
tained the profession of a sophist : and frequently in-
veighed, in a declamatory and luxuriant style, against the
most illustrious poets and philosophers of antiquity ; which
obliged him to leave Rome, and withdraw to Egypt. He
then assumed the character of a stoic philosopher ; embel-
lishing, however, his philosophical discourses that treated
of moral topics, with the graces of eloquence. As his
character corresponded to his principles of virtue, he was
a bold censor of vice, and spared no individual on account
of his rank. By his freedom of speech he offended Do-
mitian, and being obliged to become a voluntary exile irr
Thrace, he lived in great poverty, and supported himself
by private labour. After the death of this emperor, he
returned to Rome, arid for some time remained concealed;
but when he found the soldiers inclined to sedition, he
brought to their recollection Dio the orator and philo-
sopher, by haranguing them in a strain of manly eloquence,
which soon subdued the tumult. He was admitted into the
confidence of Nerva and Trajan, and distinguished by the
former with tokens of favour. He lived to old acre, but
-
the time of his death cannot be ascertained. His "Ora-
tions" are still extant, from which we may infer that he
was a man of sound judgment and lively fancy, and that
he blended in his style the qualities of animation and sweet-
ness. The first edition of his works was published at Mi-
lan, 1476, 4to. The principal subsequent editions are,
Venice, 15.51, 8vo ; Paris, 1604, fol. and Paris, 1533, 4to,
In 1800 the late Rev. Gilbert Wakefield published " Se-
lect Essays of Dio Chrysostom, translated into English,
from the Greek, with notes critical and illustrative," 8vo,
a work, however,- rather calculated for political allusion,
to which the translator was unhappily addicted, than for
classical illustration. r
DIODATI (JOHN), a very eminent divine, descended
of a noble family of Lucca, was born June 6, 1576; but
1 Fabric. Bibl. Grace. — Brucker. — Wakefield's preface. — Saxii Onomast,
106 D I O D A T I.
of his early years we have no information. When, how-
ever, he was only nineteen years of age, \ve find him ap-
pointed professor of Hebrew at Geneva. In 1619 tlie
church of Geneva sent him to the synod of Dort, with his
colleague Theodore Tronchin. Diodati gained so much
reputation in this synod, that he was chosen, with five
other divines, to prepare the Belgic confession of faith.
He was esteemed an excellent divine, and a good preacher.
His death happened at Geneva, Oct. 3, 16 ±9, in his se-
venty-third year, and was considered as a public loss. - He
has rendered himself noticed by some works which he
published, but particularly by his translation of the whole
Bible into Italian, the first edition of which he published,
with notes, in 1607, at Geneva, and reprinted in 16 n.
The New Testament was printed separately at Geneva in
1608, and at Amsterdam and Haerlem in 1665. M. Simon
observes, that his method is rather that of a divine and a
preacher, than of a critic, by which he means only, that
his work is more of a practical than a critical kind. He
translated the Bible also into French, but not being so in-
timate with that language, he is not thought to have suc-
ceeded so well as in the Italian. This translation was
printed in folio, at Geneva, in 1664. He was also the
first who translated into French father Paul's " History of
the Council of Trent," and many have esteemed this a
more faithful translation than de la Houssaye's, although
less elegant in language. He also is said to have trans-
lated sir Edwin Sandys' book on the " State of Religion in
the West." But the work by which he is best known in
this country is his Annotations on the Bible, translated into
English, of which the third and best edition was published
in 1651, fol. He is said to have begun writing these an-
notations in 1606, at which time it was expected that
Venice would have shaken off the popish yoke, a mea-
sure to which he was favourable ; and he went on im-
proving them in his editions of the Italian and French
translations. This work was at one time time very popular
in England, and many of the notes of the Bible, called the
*' Assembly of Divines' Annotations," were taken from Dio-
dati literally*. Diodati was at onetime in England, as we
learn from the life of bishop Bedell, whom he was desirous
* See his Letter to this Assembly in the Appendix to Abp. Usher's Life and
Letters, p. U.
DJ. O D A T I. 107
to become acquainted with, and introduced him to Dr. Mor-
ton, bishop of Durham. From Morrice's " State Letters
of tbe right hon. the earl of Orrery," we learn that when
invited to preach at Venice, he was obliged to equip him-
self in a trooper's habit, a scarlet cloak with a sword, and
in that garb he mounted the pulpit ; but was obliged to
escape again to Geneva, from the wrath of a Venetian
nobleman, whose mistress, affected by one of Diqdati'a
sermons, had refused to continue her connection with her
keeper. The celebrated Milton, also, contracted a friend-
ship for Diodati, when on his travels ; and some of his
Latin elegies are addressed to Charles Diodati, the nepheiv
of the divine. This diaries was one of Milton's most in-
timate friends, and was the son of Theodore Diodati, who,
although originally of Lucca, as well as his brother, mar-
ried an English lady, and his son in every respect became
an Englishman. He was also an excellent scholar, and
being educated to his father's profession, practised physic
in Cheshire. He was at St. Paul's school, with Milton,
and afterwards, in 1621, entered of Trinity-college, Ox-
ford. He died in I638.1
D1ODORUS SICULUS, an ancient historian, was born,
at Agyrium, in Sicily, and nourished in the times of Julius
Caesar and Augustus, in the first century. He informs us
that he was no less than thirty years in writing his history,
in the capital of the world, viz. Rome; where he collected
materials which he could not have procured elsewhere.
Nevertheless, he did not fail to travel through the greatest
part of the provinces of Europe and Asia, as well as to
Egypt, that he might not commit the usual faults of those
who had ventured to treat particularly of places which they
had never visited. He calls his work, not a history, but an
Historical Library ; and with some reason ; since, when it
was intire, it contained, according to the order of time,
all which other historians had written separately. He had
comprized in forty books the most remarkable events which
had happened in the world during the space of 1 138 years;
without reckoning what was comprehended in his six first
books of the more fabulous times, viz. of all which hap-
pened before the Trojan war. But of these forty, only
fifteen books are now extant. The first five are intire,
1 Moreri.— Frcheri Theatrum.— P.urnet's Life of Be.tell, 5. 19, 30.— War-
ton's Milton, p. 429, and MS notes by the author.
10$ D I O D O R U S.
and give us an account of the fabulous times, explaining
the antiquities and transactions of the Egyptians, As-
syrians, Persians, Libyans, Grecians, and other nations,
before the Trojan war. The five next are wanting. The
llth begins at Xerxes's expedition into Greece; from
whence, to the end of the 20th, which brings the history
down to the year of the world 3650, the work is intire ;
but the latter twenty are quite lost. Henry Stephens as-
serts, from a letter communicated to him by Lazarus Baif,
that the Historical Library of Diodorus remains intire in
some corner of Sicily ; upon which, says la Mothe le
Yayer, " I confess I would willingly go almost to the end
of the world, in hopes to find so great a treasure. And
I shall envy posterity this important discovery, if it be to
be' made when we are no more; when, instead of fifteen
books only, which we now enjoy, they shall possess the
whole forty."
The contents of this whole work are thus explained in
tbe preface by Diodorus himself; " Our six first books,"
says he, " comprehend all that happened before the war
of Troy, together with many fabulous matters here and
there interspersed. Of these, the three former relate the
antiquities of the barbarians, and the three latter those of
the Greeks. The eleven next include all remarkable
events in the world, from the destruction of Troy to the
death of Alexander the Great. And lastly, the other twenty-
three extend to the conquest of Julius Caesar over the Gauls,
when he made the British ocean the northern bounds of the
Roman empire." Since Diodorus speaks of Julius Caesar,
as he does in more places than one, and always according
to the pagan custom, with an attribute of some divinity,
he cannot be more ancient than he. When Eusebius writes
in his Chronicon, that Diodorus lived under this emperor,
he seems to limit the life of the former by the reign of the
latter; yet Suidas prolongs his days even to Augustus;
and Scaliger observes in his " Animadversions upon Eu-
sebius," that Diodorus must needs have lived to a very great
age ; and that he was alive at least half the reign of Au-
gustus, since he mentions on the subject of the olympiads,
the Roman bissextile year : now this name was not used
before the fasti and calendar were corrected ; which was
done by Augustus, to make the work of his predecessor
jnore perfect.
D I O D O R U S. 105*
Diodorus has met with a different reception from the
learned. Pliny affirms him to have heen tiie first of the
Greeks who wrote seriously, and avoided trifles : " primus
apud Graccos desiit nugari," are his words. Bishop Mon-
tague, in his preface to his " Apparatus," gives him the
praise of being an excellent author ; who, with great fide-
lity, immense labour, and uncommon ingenuity, has col-
lected an " Historical Library," in which he has exhibited
his own and the studies of other men. This history, with-
out which we should have been ignorant of the antiquities
and many other particulars of the little town of Agyrium,
or even of Sicily, presents us occasionally with sensible
•and judicious reflections. Diodorus takes particular care
to refer the successes of war and of other enterprises, not
to chance or to a blind fortune, with the generality of his-
torians ; but to a wise and kind providence, which presides
over all events. Yet he exhibits proofs of extraordinary
credulity, as in his description of the Isle of Panchaia,
with its walks beyond the reach of sight of odoriferous
trees; its fountains, which form an infinite number of
canals bordered with flowers; its birds, unknown in any
other part of the world, which warble their enchanting
notes in groves of uninterrupted verdure ; its temple of
marble, 4000 feet in length, &c. The first Latin edition
of Diodorus is that of Milan, 1472, folio. The first of the
text was that of Henry Stephens, in Greek, 1559, finely
printed : Wesseling's, Amsterdam, Gr. and Lat. with the
remarks of different authors, various lections, and all the
fragments of this historian, 1745, 2 vols. folio, was long
accounted the best, but is not so correct as was supposed.
Poggius translated it into Latin, the abbe Terasson into
French, and Booth into English, 1700, fol. Count Caylus
has an ingenious essay on this historian in vol. XXVII. of
the " Hist, de 1'academie des Belles Lettres," and profes-
sor Heyne has a still more learned and elaborate memoir in
" The Transactions of the Royal Society of Gottingen,"
vol. V. on the sources of information from which Diodorus
composed his history. This was afterwards inserted among
the valuable prolegomena to Heyne's edition of Diodorus,
1798, &c. 10 vols. 8vo, which is now reckoned the best.1
DIODORUS, of Antioch, priest of that church, and
afterwards bishop of Tarsus in the fourth century, was dis-
1 Mor<*ri. — Fabric. Bib!. Grose. — La Molhc Je Vayer Jugemen* sur le Hiat,—
Vessiui de Gr»c. Hist,— Saxil Guocuast,
110 . D 1 O D O R U S.
ciple of Sylvanus, and master of St. John Chrysostom, of
St. Basil, and of St. Athanasius, who all bestow great
praises on his virtues and his zeal for the faith : praises
which were confirmed by the first council of Constanti-
nople. St. Cyril, on the contrary, calls him the enemy of
the glory of Jesus Christ, and regards him as the fore-runner
of Nestorins. Diodorus was one of the first commentators
who adhered to the literal sense of Scripture, without ex-
patiating in the fields of allegory ; but only some fragments
of his writings are come down to us, in the " Catena pa-
trum Grrccorum." His contemporaries and immediate suc-
cessors differ very essentially as to his real character, as
may be seen in our authorities.1
DIODORUS, of Caria, a philosopher of the Megaric
school, flourished about 2SO years B. C. and was a famous
adept in the verbal quibbles so common at that time, and
which Aristotle called Kristic syllogisms. A dialectic
question was proposed to him in the presence of Ptolemy
Soter, at whose court he was, by Stilpo, another quibbler
like himself ; and Diodorus acknowledging himself inca-
pable of giving an immediate answer, requested time for
the solution ; on which the king himself, we presume a
wit, ridiculed his want of ingenuity, and gave him the
surname of CHRONUS. Mortified at this defeat, he retired
from the court, wrote a book upon the question, and at
last, foolishly enough, died of vexation. He is said to
have invented the famous argument against motion : " if any
body be moved, it is either moved in the place where it is,
or in a place where it is not; but it is not moved in the
place where it is, for where it is, it remains ; nor h it moved
in a place where it is not, for nothing can either actor suffer
where it is not ; therefore there is no such thing as motion."
Diodorus, after the invention of this wonderful argument,
was very properly repaid for his ingenuity. Having had
the misfortune to dislocate his shoulder, the surgeon whom
he sent for to replace it, kept him for some time in torture,
whilst he proved to him, from his own method of reasoning,
that the bone could not have mo-ced out of its place. Dio-
dorus has been ranked among the atomic philosophers,
because he held the doctrine of small indivisible bodies,
infinite in number, but finite in magnitude; but it does
Dot appear that he conceived the idea which distinguishes
the atomic doctrine, as it was taught by Democriuis and
' Lardner's Works. — Cave, vol. I. — Dupin.
D 1 O D O R U S, III
others, that the first atoms are destitute of all properties
except extension and figures.1
DIOGENES, a celebrated Cynic philosopher, was born
in the third year of the ninety-first olympiad, or 413 B.C.
at Sinope, a city of Pont us. His father, who was a banker,
was convicted of debasing the public coin, and was obliged
to leave his country. This circumstance gave the sou
an opportunity of visiting Athens, where he offered him-
self as a pupil of Aniisthenes; but that philosopher hap-
pening to be in a peevish humour, refused to receive him.
Diogenes still importuning him for admission, Antistheues
lifted up his staff to drive him away; upon which Diogenes
said, " Beat me as you please ; I will be your scholar."
Antisthenes, overcome by his perseverance, received him,
and afterwards made him his intimate companion and
friend. Diogenes perfectly adopted the principles and
character of his master, and renouncing every other object
of ambition, he determined to distinguish himself by his
contempt of riches and honours, and by his indignation
against luxury. He wore a coarse cloak ; carried a wallet
and a staff; made the porticoes and other public places
his habitation ; and depended upon casual contributions
for his daily bread. A friend, whom he had desired to
procure him a cell, not executing his order so soon as he
expected, he took up his abode in a tub, or large open
vessel, in the Metro urn. It is probable, however, Brucker
thinks, that this was only a temporary expression of in-
dignation and contempt, and that he did not make a tub
the settled place of residence, although it is mentioned
by Juvenal and Seneca. Whether true or not, there is
no doubt of his practising rigid abstinence, .and depending
upon casual charity ; nor is it less certain that he reproved
the luxurious manners of the Athenians with great free-
dom ; and yet his reproofs, though very pungent, mani-
fested so much ingenuity, as to excite even the admiration
of those against whom they were directed. lie uniformly
inculcated patience of labour and pain, frugality, tem-
perance, and an entire contempt of pleasure ; and whe-
ther praised or blamed, appeared equally indifferent, and
preserved on all occasions a perfect self-command.
Diogenes, in his old age, is said to have sailed to the
island of ^gina; and having met with pirates, he was car*-
' Moreri.— Brucker.— Dicj. laert'uis.
112 DIOGENES.
ried into Crete, and exposed to public sale. Being asked
what he could do ? he replied, "I can govern men, and
therefore sell me to one who wants a master:" Xeniades, a
wealthy Corinthian, being struck by this singular reply,
purchased him ; upon which Diogenes told him, " I shall
be more useful to you as your physician, than as your
slave." Upon their arrival at Corinth, Xeniades gave him
his liberty, and committed to his direction the education
of his children, and the management of his domestic con-
cerns. Xeniades had so much reason to be satisfied with
his judgment and fidelity, that he used to say the gods
had sent a good genius to his house. He accustomed his
pupils to the discipline of the Cynic sect, and took greater
pains to inure them to habits of self-command, than to
instruct them in the elements of science. However, he
was not negligent in teaching them lessons of moral wis-
dom, which he inculcated by sententious maxims ; and he
allowed them the moderate use of athletic exercises and
hunting. During his residence at Corinth, he frequently
attended the assemblies of the people at the Crancum, a
place in its vicinity; and at the Isthmian games, where he
appeared under the character of a censor, severely lashing
the follies of the times, and inculcating rigid lessons of
sobriety and virtue. At one of these assemblies the con-
ference between Alexander the Great and Diogenes is
said to have happened. Plutarch relates the story thus :
Alexander received the congratulations of all ranks on his
being appointed, after the death of his father, to the com-
mand of the Grecian army in their projected expedition
against the Persians. Diogenes was absent on this occa-
sion, and Alexander expressed his surprise at this circum-
stance. Wishing to gratify his curiosity by the sight of
such a philosopher as Diogenes, he visited the Craneum,
where he found the philosopher sitting in his tub in th«
sun. The king came up to him in the crowd, and said,
" I am Alexander the Great;1' to which Diogenes replied,
in a surly tone, " and I am Diogenes the Cynic." Alex-
ander, requesting to know if he could render him any ser-
vice, received for answer, " Yes," says he, " do not stand
between me and the sun." Alexander surprised at the
magnanimity of this reply, said to his friends, " If I were
not Alexander, I would be Diogenes." There arc several
circumstances in this narrative which suggest some doubts
DIOGENES. US
as to its truth : yet, from the character of Diogenes, it is
not very improbable.
Some writers assert, that after the death of Antisthenes,
Diogenes passed his summers in Corinth, and his winters
in Athens, for which there seems to be no better founda-
tion than for the whole detail of small anecdotes and jests
which have been ascribed to him, and which are entirely
contrary to the general scope of his philosophy, and to
that authority and respect which he enjoyed with the wise
men of his age. If we can pay any credit to the repre-
sentation of the ancients, Diogenes was a philosopher of a
penetrating genius, not unacquainted with learning, and
deeply read in the knowledge of mankind. He moreover
possessed a firm and lofty mind, superior to the injuries
of fortune, hardy in suffering, and incapable of fear.
Contented with a little, and possessing within himself
treasures, sufficient for his own happiness, he despised the
luxuries of the age. From an earnest desire to correct
and improve the public manners, he censured reigning
follies and vices with a steady confidence which sometimes
degenerated into severity. He spared neither the rich nor
the powerful ; and even ventured to ridicule the religious
superstitions of the age. This freedom gave great offence
to multitudes, who could not endure such harsh and re-
proachful lectures from the mouth of a mendicant philo-
sopher. The consequence was, that he suffered much
obloquy, and was made the subject of ludicrous and dis-
graceful calumny. It is wholly incredible, that a man
universally celebrated for his sobriety, contempt of plea-
sure, and indignation against vice, should have been guilty
of the grossest indecencies. Brucker has amply refuted
the story of his amour with Lais, the celebrated courtesan,
by proving that at the time this intrigue is said to have
taken place, Lais must have been eighty years old, and
Diogenes seventy. Of philosophical pride, however, it is
less easy to acquit him ; and it was probably to his haughty
temper, his coarse invectives, and scurrilous replies, that
he owed the hostility which broke out in misrepresenta-
tions of his real character. Various accounts are given,
concerning the time and manner of his death, It seems
most probable that he died at Corinth, of mere decay, in
the ninetieth year of his age, and in the hundred and four-
teenth olympiad. His friends contended for the honour
of defraying the expences of his funeral ; but the m
VOL. XII.
114 DIOGENES.
trates of Athens settled the dispute, by ordering him ao
honourable interment at the public expence. A column
of Parian marble, terminated by the figure of a dog, was
raised over his tomb ; and his friends erected many brazen
statues from respect to his memory.
Diogenes left behind him no system of philosophy.
After the example of his master, he was more atten-
tive to practical, than theoretical wisdom. The chief
heads of his moral doctrine may be thus briefly stated :
Virtue of mind, as well as strength of body, is chiefly to
be acquired by exercise and habit. Nothing can be ac-
complished without labour, and every thing may be ac-
complished with it. Even the contempt of pleasure may,
by the force of habit, become pleasant. All things belong
to wise men, to whom the gods are friends. The ranks
of society originate from the vices and follies of mankind,
and are therefore to be despised. Laws are necessary in
a civilized state ; but the happiest condition of human life
is that which approaches the nearest to a state of nature,
in which all are equal, and virtue is the only ground of
distinction. The end of philosophy is to subdue the pas-
sions, and prepare men for every condition of life.
From the numerous maxims and apothegms which have
been ascribed to Diogenes, we shall select the following,
without staying to inquire what right he has to the credit
of them : Diogenes treading upon Plato's robe, said, " I
trample under foot the pride of Plato." " Yes," said
Plato, " with greater pride of your own." Being asked
in what part of Greece he had seen good men, he an-
swered, " No-where ; at Sparta I have seen good boys."
To a friend who advised him in his old age to indulge him-
self, he said, " Would you have me quit the race when
J have almost reached the goal ?" Observing a boy drink
water out of the hollow of his hand, he took his cup out of
his wallet, and threw it away, saying that he would carry
no superfluities about him. Plato having defined man to
be a two-legged animal without wings, Diogenes plucked
off the feathers from a cock, and turned him into the aca-
demy^ crying out, " See Plato's man." In reply to one
who asked him at what time he ought to dine ; he said,
" If you are a rich man, when you will ; if you are poor,
when you can." " How happy," said one, " is Caiiis-
thenes, in living with Alexander !" " No," said Diogenes,
" he is not happy ; for he must dine and sup when Alex-
DIOGENES. 115
ander pleases." Plato, discoursing concerning ideas,
spoke of the abstract idea of a table and a cup; Diogenes
said, " I see the table and the cup, but not the idea of the
table and the cup." Plato replied, " No wonder, for you
have eyes, but no intellect." His answer to an invitation
from Craterus to come and live with him was, " I had ra-
ther lick salt at Athens, than sit down to the richest feast
with Craterus." Being asked what countryman he was, he
answered, " A citizen of the world." To one that reviled
him he said, " No one will believe you, when you speak
ill of me, any more than they would me, if I were to speak
well of you." Hearing one of his friends lament that he
should not die in his own country, he said, " Be not un-
easy ; from every place there is a passage to the regions
below." " Would you be revenged upon your enemy,"
said Diogenes, " be virtuous, that he may have nothing
to say against you."1
DIOGENES APOLLONIATES, or of Apollonia, in
the island of Crete, was a disciple of Anaximenes, and the
successor of Anaxagoras in the Ionic school. Following
the steps of his master, he devoted himself to the contem-
plation of nature ; not, however, without mingling with
the severer pursuits of philosophy the study of eloquence.
This qualified him to execute the office of preceptor with
great reputation, both at Miletus and at Athens. But his
success, and perhaps his opinions, excited so much jea-
lousy and aversion among the Athenians, that, like Anax-
agoras, he was obliged to provide for his safety by flight.
What befel him afterwards, or what was the exact time of
his birth or death, is unknown. With Anaximenes, he
taught that air, or a subtle ether, is the first material prin-
ciple in nature, but that it partakes of a divine intelligence,
without which nothing could be produced. From com-
paring the imperfect accounts of his doctrine which re-
main, with the opinions of his predecessors, it appeals
probable that he conceived the infinite ether to be ani-
mated by a divine mind, and all things to be formed from
this compound principle.3
DIOGENES, called the BABYLONIAN, from his birth-
place, Seleucia, near Babylon, flourished in the second
1 Brucker.— Diogenes Laertius. — Fenelon's Lives of the Philosophers. — Gen.
Diet. — Stanley's Hist, of Philosophy. — Saxii Onomast.
8 Gen. Diet. — Brucker, — DiogCHes Laertius. — Moreri.
I 2
116 DIOGENES.
century B. C. He was the disciple of Chrysippus, and
the successor of Zeno of Tarsus, where he taught the
principles of his sect with unwearied diligence, and a high
reputation. He was the author of several works on divi-
nation, the laws, learning, &c. which have been quoted
with respect by Cicero and others. He is said to have
lived to the age of eighty-eight years, and philosophized
to the last. That he was highly esteemed by his contem-
poraries, is evident from his being appointed in conjunc-
tion with Carneades, the head of the academies, and Cri-
tolaus, the chief of the peripatetic school, to the embassy
to Home ; and as a proof how well his practice conformed
to his principles, we are told, that when he \vas once dis-
coursing against anger, an insolent young man, with the
hope of exposing him to the ridicule of his audience, spat
upon him, and otherwise contumeliously treated him,
upon which the philosopher observed with meekness, " I
am not angry, but I am doubtful whether I ought not to
be so."1
DIOGENES LAERTIUS, so called from Laerta, or
Laertes, a town of Cilicia, where he is supposed to have
been born, is an ancient Greek author, who wrote ten books
of the Lives of the Philosophers, still extant. In what age
he flourished, is not easy to determine. The oldest writers
who mention him are Sopater Alexandrinus, who lived
in the time of Constantine the Great, and Hesychius Mile-
sius, who lived under Justinian. Diogenes often speaks in
terms of approbation of Plutarch and Phavorinus; and there-
fore, as Plutarch lived under Trajan, and Phavorinus under
Hadrian, it is certain that he could not flourish before the
reigns of those emperors. Menage has fixed him to the time
of Severus ; that is, about the year of Christ 200 ; and
from certain expressions in his works, some have fancied
him to have been a Christian ; however, as Menage ob-
serves, the immoderate praises he bestows upon Epicurus
will not suffer us to believe this, but incline us rather to
suppose that he was an Epicurean. He divided his Lives
into books, and inscribed them to a learned lady of the
Platonic school, as he himself intimates in his life of Plato.
Montaigne was so fond of this author, that, instead of one
Laertius, he wishes we had a dozen ; and Vossius says, that
his work is as precious as old gold. Without doubt we are
1 Brucker,— Diogenes Laertius.
DIOGENES. 117
greatly obliged to him for what we know of the ancient
philosophers ; and if he had been as exact in the execu-
tion, as he was judicious in the choice of his subject, we
had been more obliged to him still. Bishop Burnet, in the
preface to his Life of sir Matthew Hale, justly speaks of
him in the following manner: "There is no hook tne an-
cients have left us," says he, " which might have informed
us more than Diogenes Laertius's Lives of the Philosophers,
if he had had the art of writing equal to that great subject
which he undertook : for if he had given the world such an
account of them, as Gassendus has done of Peiresc, how
great a stock of knowledge might we have had, which by
his unskilfulness is in a great measure lost ! since we must,
now depend only on him, because we have no other and
better author who has written on that argument." He is
no where observed to be a rigid affecter or favourer of any
sect; which makes it somewhat probable, that he was a
follower of Potomon of Alexandria, who, after all the rest,
and a little before his time, established a sect which were
called Eclectics, from their choosing out of every sect vviv.t
they thought the best. His books shew him to have been
a man of universal reading ; but as a writer he is very ex-
ceptionable, both as to the disposal and the defect of his
materials. Brucker, whose opinion must be of sterling
value, in estimating the merits of Diogenes Laertius, says,
that " he has collected from the ancients with little judg-
ment, patched together contradictory accounts, relied
upon doubtful authorities, admitted as facts many tales
which were produced in the schools of the sophists, and
has been inattentive to methodical arrangement." Dio-
genes also composed a book of epigrams, to which he re-
fers. The best edition is that of Meibomius, Amst. 1692,
2 vols. 4to ; yet Rossius, in his " Commentationes Laer-
tianae," has convicted Meibomius of innumerable errors.1
DIONIS (PETER), an eminent French surgeon and wri-
ter, was born at Paris, and became surgeon in ordinary to
Maria Teresa of Austria, queen of France, and to the
dauphinesses and the royal family. These honours were
bestowed in consequence of the fame which he acquired as
lecturer in surgery and anatomy in the royal gardens at
Paris, an office founded by Louis XIV. He retained this
1 Vossius de Hist. Grace. — Fabr. Bjbl. Grace.— Brucker. — Saxii Onomast.— *
Dibdin's Classics.
118 D I O N I S.
and his other offices with increasing reputation, until his
death, Dec. 11, 1718. His first publication was " Histoire
anatomique d'une matrice extraordinaire," 1683. In 1690,
he published " Anatomic de 1'homme suivant la circulation
du sang, et les nouvelles decouvertes," 8vo, an useful epi-
tome, containing all that was then known on the subject.
It was well received, frequently reprinted, and was trans-
lated in 1718, into the Tartar language, by order of
Cam-hi, the emperor of China, for the benefit of his sub-
jects. His next work, which first appeared in 1707, was
" Cours d'Operations de Chirurgie demontree, au Jardin
Royal de Paris," 8vo. This has been reprinted still more
frequently than the former work, and has been translated
into nearly all the modern languages. Heister gave an
edition of it in Latin, with notes, and it still retains a cer-
tain degree of credit. In 1709, he gave " Dissertation sur
la mort subite, avec 1'histoire d'une fille cataleptique,"
12mo; and in 1718, " Traite general des Accouchmens,"
8vo. This also has been translated into most modern lan-
guages, though it contains little more than an abridgment
of the practice of Mauriceau, and is now almost entirely
unnoticed.1
DIONIS DU SEJOUR (ACHILLES PETER), one of the
first French astronomers of the last century, was born at
Paris Jan. 1 1, 1734, and appears to have been educated to
the profession of the law, as he became a counsellor of
parliament ; but his fame is more solidly" established on his
astronomical pursuits. In the former capacity, however,
he was appointed a deputy from the noblesse of Paris as
one of their representatives in the constituent assembly.
His conduct here appears to have been moderate, and even
praiseworthy, as he incurred the displeasure of the succes-
sion of tyrants who ruined their country, and was obliged
to escape to some secure place of retirement, where he
died in August 1794. During his more prosperous ca-
reer, he was chosen a member of the royal societies of
London (in 1775) and of Stockholm and Gottingen, and
contributed many papers to Memoirs of the academy of
sciences at Paris, of which he was also a member. His
principal works, all of high value, are, 1. " Traite des
courbes algebraiques," 1756, 12mo. 2. " Methode gene-
i Moreri. — Diet. Hist.— Haller.— Manget, where there is a portrait of him,
•-Rees's Cyclopaedia.
D I O N I S. 119
rale et directe pour resoudre les problemes relatifs aux
eclipses," read in the academy. 3. " Recherches sur la
gnomonique et les retrogradations des Planetes," 1761,
8vo. 4. " Traite" analytique des mouvemens apparens des
corps celestes," 1774, 2 vols. 4to. 6. " Essai sur les
Cometes en general, et en particulier sur celles qui peu-
vent approcher de 1'orbite de la terre," 17" -", svo ; a work,
says its reviewer, which deserves undoubtedly to be placed
among astronomical productions of the first rank, and in
which the learned author has omitted nothing that has the
least relation towards the general theory of comets. Ac-
cordingly the commissaries, who were appointed by the
royal academy of sciences at Paris to examine this work,
declared that it contained the most complete theory of
comets hitherto given. 6. " Essai sur les phenomenes re-
latifs aux disparitions periodiques del'anneaude Saturne,"
1776, 8vo. This work amply supported the character
which the author had established by his former writings,
and it received the unanimous approbation of D'Alembert,
Borda, Vaudermonde, Bezout, and La Place, the members
of the academy who were appointed to examine it. *
DIONYSIUS (PERIEGETES), was an ancient poet and
geographer, concerning whom we have no certain infor-
mation but what we derive from the elder Pliny. Pliny,
speaking of the Persian Alexandria, afterwards called An-
tioch, and at last Charrax, could not miss the opportunity
of paying his respects to a person who had so much ob-
liged him, and whom he professes to follow above all men
in the geographical part of his work. He tells us, that
*' Dionysius was a native of this Alexandria, and that he
had the honour to be sent by Augustus to survey the
eastern part of the world, and to make reports and obser-
vations about its state and condition, for the use of the
emperor's eldest son, who was at that time preparing an
expedition into Armenia, Parthia, and Arabia." This pas-
sage, though seemingly explicit enough, has not been
thought sufficient by the critics to determine the time
when Dionysius lived, whether under the first Augustus
Caesar, or under some of the later emperors, who assumed
his name : Vossius and others are of opinion, that the for-
mer is the emperor meant by Pliny ; but Scaliger and
Salmasius think he lived under Severus, or Marcus Aure-
1 Dick Hiit. — Month. Rev. vol. Hi. and liv.
120 D I O N Y S I U S.
lias, about A. D. 130 or 150. Dionysius wrote a great
number of pieces, enumerated by Suidas and his commen-
tator Eustathius : but his " Periegesis," or survey of the
world, is the only one we have remaining; and it would
be superfluous to say, that this is one of the most exact
systems of ancient geography, when it has been already
observed, that Pliny himself proposed it for his pattern.
It is written in Greek hexameters ; but some think that
Dionysius is no more to be reckoned a poet, than any of
those authors who have included precepts in numbers, for
the sake of assisting the memory. Yet, although his book
is more valuable for matter than manner, it has been
thought that he had a genius capable of more sublime
undertakings, and that he constantly made the Muses the
companions, though not the guides, of his travels. As
proofs of this, we are referred to his descriptions of the
island of Lucca, inhabited by departed heroes ; of the
monstrous and terrible whales in Taprobana ; of the poor
Scythians that dwelt by the Meotic lake ; to the account
of himself, when he comes to describe the Caspian sea,
and of the swans and bacchanals on the banks of Cayster,
which shew him to have possessed no small share of poetic
spirit.
The "Periegesis" has been published several times with
and without the commentaries of Eustathius ; but the
neatest edition is that printed by Thwaites, at Oxford in
1697 ; the best and most useful that enlarged and im-
proved with notes and illustrations by Hill, Lond. 1688 and
1708. Dr. Wells's " Dionysii Geographia emendata,"
1707, 8vo, has been often reprinted, and is held in estima-
tion ; Dr. John Free translated it in his " Tyrocinium
Geographicum Londinense."1
DIONYSIUS (HALICARNASSENSIS), a historian and cri-
tic of antiquity, was born at Halicarnassus, a town in Caria;
which is also memorable for having before produced Hero-
dotus. He came to Rome soon after Augustus had put an
end to the civil wars, which was about 30 years before
Christ; and continued there, as he himself relates, twenty-
two years, learning the Latin tongue, and making all ne-
cessary provision for the design he had conceived of writ-
ing the Roman history. To this purpose he read over, as
l Vossius de Hist. Grtec. — Dodwell's Dissert de Dionysio, in vol. IV. Geog.
Minor. Hudson!.— Fabr. Bibl. Grsec.— Saxii Onomast.
D I O N Y S I U S. 121
he tells us, all the commentaries and annals of those Ro- ,
mans who had written with any reputation about the anti-
quities and transactions of their state ; of such as old Cato,
Fabius Maximus, Valerius Antias, Licinius Macer, and
others ; but owns, after all, that the conferences he had
with the great and learned men at Rome upon this subject,
were almost as serviceable to him as any thing he had read.
His history is entitled " Of the Roman antiquities," and
was comprised in twenty books, of which only the first
eleven are now extant. They conclude with the time
when the consuls resumed the chief authority of the re-
public, after the government of the decemviri ; which hap-
pened 312 years after the foundation of Rome. The en-
tire work extended to the beginning of the first Punic war,
ending where Polybius begins his history, which is about
200 years later. Some have imagined that Dionysius never
ended his work, but was prevented by death from com-
posing any more than eleven books out of the twenty
which he had promised the public ; but this is contrary to
the express testimony of Stepbanus, a Greek author, who
quotes the 16th and 17th books of Dionysius' s Roman
antiquities ; and Photius, in his Bibliotheca, says, that
he had read all the twenty, and had seen the compendium
or abridgment which Dionysius made of his own history
into five books, but which is now lost. The reputation of
this historian stands very high on many accounts, notwith-
standing the severe attacks made on him by Mr. Hooke, in
his " Observations, &c." on Middleton and Chapman, &c.
1750, 4to. As to what relates to chronology, all the critics
have been apt to prefer him even to Livy himself : and
Scaliger declares, in his animadversions upon Eusebius,
that we have no author remaining, who has so well ob-
served the order of years. He is no less preferable to the
Latins on account of the matter of his history ; for his
being a stranger was so far from being prejudicial to him,
that on this single consideration he made it his business to
preserve an infinite number of particulars, most curious to
us, which their own authors neglected to write, either be-
cause, by reason of their familiarity, they thought them
below notice, or that all the world knew them as well as
themselves. His style and diction, however, although
pure, insomuch that many have thought him the best author
to be studied by those who would attain a perfect know-
ledge of the Greek tongue, is not so elegant or lively as
D I O N Y S I U 8.
that of Livy, to whom he has been compared in historic
merit.
Besides the Roman Antiquities, there are other writings
of his extant, critical and rhetorical. His most admired
piece in this way is " De structura Orationis," first printed
by Aldus at Venice in 1508, which has undergone several
impressions since, with a Latin version joined to it ; the
last and best by Upton, printed at London in 1702. Se^
veral other compositions of the same kind, as his " Vita
Isa^i et Dinarchi ;" " Judicium de Lysia ;" " Homeri
vita;" " De Priscis Scriptoribus ;" " De antiquis Orato-
ribus," of which Rowe Mores published an edition in
1749, reprinted in 1781, after his death, with additional
notes taken from his copy of Hudson's edition of Dionysius.
All these shew Dionysius to have been a man of taste in
the belles lettres, and of great critical exactness; and
nothing can more clearly convince us of the vast reputa-
tion and high authority he possessed at Rome among the
learned, than Pompey's singling him out to give a judg-
ment of the first Greek historians, and especially of Hero-
dotus and Xenophon. There is extant a letter of his upon
this subject, written to Pompey, at Pompey's own request ;
and if there be any thing exceptionable in that letter, or
in the other critical and rhetorical pieces of Dionysius, it
is, that he was too rigorous in his criticisms, and con-
tended too obstinately for perfection in an historian or
orator. His finding fault with Plato upon his rigid prin-
ciples, was one of the occasions of the letter which Pompey
wrote to him : and we see by his answer^ that though, to
gratify Pompey, he professes himself an admirer of Plato,
he does not forbear to prefer Demosthenes to him ; pro-
testing, that it was only to give the whole advantage to
the latter, that he exercised his censure against the former.
Nevertheless it appears, that at another season he spared
Demosthenes no more than the rest ; so prone was his
inclination to find fault, merely because writers did not,
in their works, come up to that ideal perfection which he
had conceived in his mind. The best edition of all Dio-
nysius's works is that by Hudson, at Oxford, 1704, in 2
vols. fol. His Roman History was translated into English
by Edward Spelman, esq. 1757, 4 vols. 4to, with consi-
derable fidelity and elegance, and illustrated with some
dissertations, by which it appears that Mr. Spelman had de-
voted much time and study to his favourite author, as well
D I O N Y S I U S. 123
tis to his subject; but he has likewise bestowed very un-
necessary pains in exhibiting the defects of the French
translators.1
D1ONYSIUS (HALICARNASSENSIS), junior, flourished,
according to Suidas, under the emperor Adrian, and wrote
twenty-six books of the " History of Musicians," in which
he celebrated not only the great performers on the flute
and cithara, but those who had risen to eminence by every
species of poetry. He was, likewise, author of five books,
written in defence of music, and chiefly in refutation of
what is alleged against it in Plato's Republic. Aristides
Quintilianus has also endeavoured to soften the severity
of some animadversions against music in the writings of
Cicero ; but though time has spared the defence of this
author, yet it does not indemnify us for the loss of that
which Dionysius junior left behind him ; as testimonies are
still remaining or his having been a much more able writer
than Aristides Quintilianus.
The loss of the entire works of this writer is severely felt
by all musical historians, but particularly by those who
seek information concerning the music and musicians of
the ancient Greeks.2
DIONYSIUS (AREOPAGITA) was born at Athens, and
educated there. He went afterwards to Heliopolis in
-/Egypt ; where, if we may believe some writers of his life,
he saw that wonderful eclipse which happened at our Sa-
viour's passion, and was urged by some extraordinary im-
pulse to cry out, " Ant Deus patitur, aut cum patiente
dolet ;" Either God himself suffers, or condoles with him
who does. At his return to Athens he was elected into
the court of Areopagus, from whence he derived his name
of Areopagite. About the year 50 he embraced Chris-
tianity, and, as some say, was appointed first bishop of
Athens by St. Paul, and consecrated by his hands. Of his
conversion we have this account in Acts xvii. : Paul,
preaching at Athens, was brought before the Areopagus,
to give account of himself and his doctrine. He harangued
in that court, taking occasion to speak against the prevail-
ing idolatry of the place, from an altar which he found
with this inscription, " To the unknown God." The event
i Fabric. Bibl. Grasc. — Vossius <le Hist. Grxc.— Dibdin's Classics— and
Clarke's Bibliographical Dictionary.— Saxii Onomast.
* Suidas. — Rees's Cyclopsdia.
12* DIONYSIUS.
of which preaching was, as the sacred historian tells us,
that " certain men clave unto him, and believed ; among
the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named
Damaris, and others with them." He is supposed to have
suffered martyrdom; but whether under Domitian, Trajan,
or Adrian, is not certain.
The works ascribed to this Dionysius, printed at Co-
logne in 1536, at Antwerp, 1634, and at Paris, 1644, 2
vols. fol. are generally allowed to be spurious, and pro-
bably were written in the fifth or sixth century, as they
abound with the mystical trifles of the Plotinian school.1
DIONYSIUS, bishop of Corinth, flourished under the
reigns of Marcus Antoninus and Commodus ; and is sup-
posed to have suffered martyrdom about the year 178. We
know little more of him than what appears from some of
his epistles, preserved by Eusebius : from which we learn,
that he was not only very diligent in his pastoral care over
the flock committed to him, but that he extended this
care likewise to the inhabitants of all other countries and
cities. He wrote a letter to the Lacedaemonians, in which
he exhorts them to peace and concord ; another to the
Athenians, in which he recommends purity of faith and
evangelical holiness; a third to the Nicomedians, to guard
them against the heresy of Marciou ; a fourth to the
churches of Crete ; a fifth to the churches of Pontus ; a
sixth to the Gnossians, in which he admonishes Pinytus,
their bishop, not to impose too severely upon the brethren
the heavy burden of continence, but to consider the frail-
ties and infirmities of the flesh ; a proof that monastic
austerities were beginning at this early period of the
church. He wrote also a seventh letter to the Romans, in
which he mentions the famous epistle of Clemens to the
Corinthians ; which, as we learn from him, was wont at
that time to be publicly read in their churches. He re-
commends to them also to continue a charitable custom,
which, from their first plantation, they had always prac-
tised ; namely, to send relief to divers churches through-
out the world, and to assist particularly those who were
condemned to the mines ; a strong proof, says a recent
historian, both that the Roman church continued opulent
and numerous, and that they still partook much of the
spirit of Christianity. None of these epistles are now
' Cave. — Dupin. — Larclner's Works. — Saxii Onomast.
D I O N Y S I U S. 125
extant, but Eusebius has preserved some fragments of
them. l
DIONYSIUS, bishop of Alexandria, a man of great
renown in the church, was born a heathen, and of an
ancient and illustrious family. He was a diligent inquirer
after truth, which he looked for in vain among the sects of
philosophers; but at last found it in Christianity, in which
he was probably confirmed by his preceptor Origen. He
was made a presbyter of the church of Alexandria in the
year 232 ; and in the year 247 was raised to that see upon
the death of Heracles. When the Decian persecution arose,
lie was seized by the soldiers and sent to Taposiris, a little
town between Alexandria and Canopus; but he escaped
without being hurt, of which there is an extraordinary
account in the fragments of one of his letters, which Euse-
bius has preserved. He was less fortunate under the Va-
lerian persecution, which began in the year 257, being
then forcibly hurried off in the midst of a dangerous illness,
and banished to Cephrus, a most desert and uncultivated
region of Libya, in which terrible situation he remained
for three years. Afterwards, when Gallienus published
an edict of toleration to the Christians, he returned to
Alexandria, and applied himself diligently to the offices
of his function, as well by converting heathens, as by
suppressing heretics. To the Novatian heresy he laboured
to put a stop ; he endeavoured to quiet the dispute, which
was risen to some height, between Stephen and Cyprian,
concerning the re-baptization of heretics : both which he
attempted with Christian moderation and candour, and it
must be acknowledged to his credit, that he seems to have
possessed more of that spirit of gentleness and meekness
than was usually to be found in those zealous times. He
does not indeed appear to have been quite so moderate in
the next congress which he had with Sabellius, who had as-
serted, that " the substance in the trinity was nothing more
than one person distinguished by three names ;''' which
Dionysius opposed with such zeal and ardour, as to fall
into the Arian opinion, and maintain, that there was
*' not only a distinction of persons, but of essence or sub-
stance also, and even an inequality of power and glory in
them." Cave, however, excuses this error, or " blind-
ness," as he calls it, in him, because it flowed from his
1 Cave. — Dupin.— Milner's Church History, vol. I. p. 233.
126 DIONYSIUS.
intemperate zeal and hatred of heretics, and because Dio-
nysius was in all other respects a very sound and orthodox
bishop. A little before his death he was called to a synod
at Antioch, to defend the divinity of Jesus Christ against
Paul of Samosata, bishop of Antioch: but he could not
appear by reason of his great age and infirmities. He
wrote a letter, however, to that church, in which he ex-
plained his own opinion of the matter, and refuted Paul,
whom he thought so very blameable for advancing such an
error, that he did not deign to salute him even by name.
He died in the year 267 ; and though his writings were
very numerous, yet scarce any of them are come down to
us, except some fragments preserved by Eusebius. '
DIONYSIUS, surnamed EXIGUUS, or LITTLE, on ac-
count of his stature, was a monk by profession, and born
in Scythia, where he is supposed to have died about the
year 540, as Dupin reckons, or 556, according to Cave.
He understood Greek and Latin, and was well acquainted
with the holy scriptures. Cassiodorus, who was intimate
with him, wrote his panegyric in the 23d chapter of his
book on divine learning. At the desire of Stephen, bishop
of Salone, he made a collection of canons, which contains,
besides those which were in the code of the universal
church, the fifty first canons of the apostles, those of the
council of Sardica, and 138 canons of the council of Africa.
This code of canons was approved and received by the
church of Rome, and France, and by the Latin churches ;
and was printed by Justel in 1628, with a version of the
letter of St. Cyril, and of the council of Alexandria against
Nestorius, which is also the translation of Dionysius Exi-
guus. He afterwards joined these with the decretals of the
popes from Syricius to Anastasius, to which have been,
since added those of Hilary, Simplicius, and other popes, to
St. Gregory. This second collection was printed by Justel
in his Bibliotheca of Canon law. Dionysius was the first
who introduced the way of counting the years from the
birth of Jesus Christ, and who fixed it according to the
epocha of the vulgar sera. He wrote also two letters upon
Easter in the years 525 and 526, which were published by
Petavius and Buchevius ; and made a cycle of 95 years.
Father Mabillon published a letter of his written to Eugip-
pius, about the translation which he made of a work of
I Cave. — Dupin.
D I O N Y S I U S. 127
Gregory Nyssen, concerning the creation of man. With
respect to the epoch which he invented, he began his
account from the conception or incarnation, usually called
the Annunciation, or Lady-day ; which method obtained
yi the dominions of Great Britain till 1752, before which
time the Dionysian was the same as the English epoch :
but in that year the Gregorian calendar having been ad-
mitted by act of parliament, they now reckon from the
first of January, as in the other parts of Europe, except
in the court of Rome, where the epoch of the Incarnation
still obtains for the date of their bulls.1
DIONYSIUS, a Greek poet and musician, was the
author of the words and music of three hymns, of which
the first is addressed to Calliope, the second to Apollo,
and the third to Nemesis. Of these the music has been
preserved and published by Dr. Fell, bishop of Oxford, in
1672. This precious manuscript, which was found in Ire-
land, among the papers of the famous archbishop Usher,
was bought, after .his decease, by Mr. Bernard, fellow of
St. John's college, who communicated it to the editor,
together with remarks and illustrations by the rev. Mr.
Edmund Chilinead, of Christ church, who likewise re-
dueed the ancient musical characters to those in common,
use. It appears by the notes, that the music of these
hymns was composed in the Lydian mode, and diatonic
genus. Vincenzo Galilei, father of the great Galileo, first
published these hymns with their Greek notes, in his
" Dialogues upon Ancient and Modern Music," printed at
Florence, 1581, folio. He assures us, that he had them
from a Florentine gentleman, who copied them very accu-
rately from an ancient Greek manuscript, preserved in th«
library of cardinal St. Angelo, at Rome, which MS. like-
wise contained the treatises of music by Aristides Quin-
tilianus, and Bryennius, since published by Meibomius
and Dr. Wallis. The Florentine edition of these hymns
entirely agrees with that printed at Oxford. In 1602, Her-
cules Bottrigari mentioned the same hymns in his harmo-
nical discourse, called " Melone," printed at Ferrara, in
4to. But he derived his knowlege of these pieces only
from the Dialogues of Galilei ; however, he inserted, in
the beginning of his book, some fragments of them in
common notes j but they were disfigured by a number of
i Dupin. — Cave. — Fabric. Bibl. Lat. Med, — Saxii. Onomast.
128 D I O N Y S I U g.
typographical errors. At length, in 1720, M. Burette
published these three hymns in the " Memoirs of the Aca-
demy of Inscriptions," ton), v. from a copy found at the
end of a Greek manuscript in the king of France's library
at Paris, No. 3221, which likewise contained the musical
treatises of Aristides Quintilianus, and of Bacchius senior'.
But though the words were confused, and confounded one
with another, they appeared much more complete in this
manuscript than elsewhere, particularly the hymn to
Apollo, which had six verses more at the beginning ; and
that to Nemesis, which, though deficient at the end in all
the other editions, was here entire, having fourteen verses,
exclusive of the six first. '
DIOPHANTUS, a celebrated mathematician of Alex-
andria, has been reputed to be the inventor of algebra ; at
least his is the earliest work extant on that science. It is
not certain when he lived. Some have placed him before
Christ, and some after, in the reigns of Nero and the An-
tonines ; Saxius places him in the fourth century. He ap-
pears to be the same Diophantus who wrote the " Canon
Astronomicus, which Suidas says was commented on by
the celebrated Hypatia, daughter of Theon of Alexandria.
His reputation must have been very high among the an-
cients, since they ranked him with Pythagoras and Euclid
in mathematical learning. Bachet, in his notes upon the
5th book " De Arithmeticis," has collected, from Dio-
phantus's epitaph in the Anthologia, the following circum-
stances of his life ; namely, that he was married when he
was thirty-three years old, and had asonbornfive years after;
that this son died when he was forty-two years of age, and
that his father did not survive him above four years ; from
which it appears, that Diophantus was eighty-four years
old when he died.
He wrote thirteen books of arithmetic, or algebra, which,
Regiomontanus in his preface to Alfraganus tells us, are
still preserved in manuscript in the Vatican library. In-
deed Diophantus himself tells us that his work consisted of
thirteen books, viz. at the end of his address to Dionysius,
placed at the beginning of the work; and from hence Re-
giomontanus might be led to say the thirteen books were
in that library. No more than six whole books, with part
of a seventh, have ever been published ; and it is probable
1 Burney's Hist, of Music, vol. T .where the mu sic is engraved.
D I O P H A N T U S. 129
there are no more in being ; indeed Bombelli, in the pre-
face to his Algebra, written in 1572, says there were but
six of the books then in the library, and that he and ano-
ther were about a translation of them. Those six books,
with the imperfect seventh, were first published at Basil by
Xylander in 1575, but in a Latin version only, with the
Greek scholia of Maximus Planudes upon the two first
books, and observations of his own. The same books were
afterwards published in Greek and Latin at Paris in 1G2I,
by Bachet, an ingenious and learned Frenchman, who made
a new Latin version of the work, and enriched it with very
learned commentaries. Bachet did not entirely neglect
the notes of Xylander in his edition, but he treated the
scholiast Planudes with the utmost contempt. He seems
to intimate, in what he says upon the 28th question of the
second book, that the six books which we have of Dio-
phantus may be nothing more than a collection made by
some novice, of such propositions as he judged proper,
out of the whole thirteen : but Fabricius thinks there is»
no just ground for such a supposition. From him, certain
questions relating to square and cubic numbers, and to
right-angled triangles, have been called Diophantine pro-
blems, because the nature of them was first and chiefly
treated of by him in his arithmetic, or rather algebra. l
DIOSCOIUDES (PEDACIUS), an eminent physician of
Anaxarba, since called Ceesarea, in Cilicia, flourished iu
the reign of Nero, in the first century, and composed five
books of the- Materia Medica. Fabricius is certain, that
he composed these books before Pliny wrote his Natural
History, although he supposes Pliny might reach the age
of Dioscorides. Pliny has indeed made no mention of
him, and yet relates many things of a very similar nature;
which circumstances Fabricius imputes to their both hav-
ing collected their materials from the same store-house,
and to Pliny's not having seen the books of Dioscorides.
This physician tells us, in the preface of his first book, that
he had consulted all who had written upon the Materia
Medica before him ; that to the information he had received
from others, he had joined great application of his own ;
that he had travelled over many countries, for the sake of
confirming by observation what he had learned from books;
1 Fabric. Bibl. Graec. — Hutton's Dictionary. — Montucla Hist. Math. — V»S«
skis de Scieut. Math. — Moreri.
VOL. XII. K
130 DIOSCORIDES.
that he had corrected many errors of others, added many
new things of his own, and digested the whole into a regu-
lar order. Salmasius considers all this as so much boast-
ing, and treats Dioscorides as merely a laborious compiler,
or pillager of others ; but Galen has pronounced these
books of Dioscorides to be the best that had been written
upon the subject, and it is evident that in the early stages
of botanical science he was looked up to with a reverence
which is no longer paid. His object being solely the Ma-
teria Medica, he discusses each subject specifically, and in
a separate chapter, dividing the whole into five books ; in
which, as far as any order takes place, they arrange into
aromatic, alimentary, and medicinal plants. His descrip-
tions are chiefly taken from colour, size, mode of growing,
comparison of the leaves and roots, with other plants well
known, and therefore left undescribed. In general they
are short, and frequently insufficient to determine the spe-
cies ; and hence arise the endless and irreconcileable con-
tentions among his commentators. In this manner, how-
ever, he has described near 700 plants; to which he sub-
joins the virtues and uses ; and to him all posterity have
appealed as decisive on the subject.
Besides these five books, there are a sixth and a seventh
mentioned by Photius ; but the genuineness of them is
justly doubted, since Galen takes no notice of them in se-
veral places where he could hardly be supposed to overlook
them. There are also two other books " upon simple and
compound medicines easy to be come at," which have been
attributed to Dioscorides ; but these are supposed to be
spurious, though they seem to have borne his name when
,/Etius read them. Several manuscripts of this author's
works with figures are extant, which have often been cited
by his commentators. Of these the most celebrated is in
the imperial library at Vienna, the figures of which \\ere
partly engraved in the reign of the empress Ptlaria Theresa,
under the inspection of Jacquin. Two impressions only
of these plates, as far as we can learn, have ever beeiv
taken off, as the work was not prosecuted. Of these, one
was sent to Linnaeus, with notes by Jacquin, and is now in
the valuable library of Dr. Smith ; the other was given, out
of professor Jacquin's own library, to Dr. Sibthorp, to as-
sist his inquiries in Greece, and remains at O.vford. The
LimiEcan copy consists of 142 plates, in oblong quarto, in
alphabetical order ; but nothing can be more rude than
D I O S C O R I D E S. 131
these figures ; and they scarcely afford any information
that is not familiar to botanists versed in the subject. Hal-
ler asserts, that perhaps a third part of the plants of Dios-
corides is still unknown, and it is to be feared they will
never be entirely determined. The inquiry, indeed, at
present, is rather a matter of curiosity than of any consi-
derable medical importance. Dioscorides was first pub-
lished at Cologn, in a Latin translation, 1478, fol.io, and ia
the original by Aldus, 1495, folio. It was afterwards pub-
lished in Latin by Hermolaus Barbartis, and Ruellius,
1516 ; by Vergilius, 1518 ; and by Cornarus, 1529, all in.
folio. There are many other editions, but the learned pre-
fer that with a translation by Saracenus, Lyons, 1598, and
Francfort, 1 620, folio. l
DIPPEL (JoHN CONRAD), an author famous for his ex-
travagancies, and who styled himself in his writings Chris-
tianus Democritus, was born Aug. 10, 1672, at Franken-
stein, near Darmstadt, where he commenced his studies.
He afterwards studied philosophy and theology at Giessen,
where he took his master's degree in 1693. He began his
literary career by a controversy with the pietists, a sect
against which he declaimed publicly at Strasburg. Being
obliged, for some irregularities, to quit that city, he re-
turned to Giessen, and shewed himself as zealous in be-
half of pietism as he had been before in opposition to it.
Having failed in his views of getting a wife, and a profes-
sor's chair, he threw off the mask, and openly attacked the
reformed religion, in his " Papismus Protestantium vapu-
lans." This book having incensed the protestants against
him, he abandoned theology for chemistry ; and gave out,
that, after a process of eight months, he had succeeded in
making a sufficient quantity of gold to enable him to keep
a country house, which he bought for 50,000 florins; but
he was at that time actually in the utmost indigence ; and
could think of no better expedient for avoiding the pur-
suit of his creditors than by commencing his travels. After
having run over various countries, Berlin, Copenhagen,
Francfort, Leyden, Amsterdam, Altona, Hamburgh, and
having experienced the discipline of the prison in every
one, he was invited to Stockholm in 1727 to prescribe for
the king of Sweden. The clergy of that kingdom, pleased
' Moreri.— Haller Bib!. Bot.— Fabric. Bibl. Gr»c. — Pulteney's Sketches-*
Rees's Cyclopxdia.
K 2
132 D I P P E L.
*•
with the hope of the king's recovery, but unwilling to owe
it to a man that openly derided their religion, procured an
order for the medical alchemist to quit the kingdom.
Dippel returned to Germany, without having changed
either his opinions or his conduct. The report of his death
having been several times falsely propagated, he in 1733
published a sort of certificate, in which he affirmed that he
should not die till the year 180$ ; a prophecy which was
not fulfilled : for he was found dead in his bed at the castle
of Witgenstein, the 25th of April, 1734, at the age of 62.
His works were published together in 1747, 5 vols. 4to,
and, notwithstanding his many extravagancies and absur-
dities, many have considered him as an eminent teacher
of true piety and wisdom. He probably deserved more
praise as a physician and chemist. He is said to have in-
vented Prussian blue ; and there is still an oil called
DippePs oil, which he first discovered, a powerful-sudorific,
and deserving of more notice than it now receives. l
DIROJS (FRANCIS), a learned doctor of the Sorbonne,
was at first a friend to the society of Port-royal, but after-
wards disagreed with them on account of the formulary,
which he defended in several of his writings. He was very
intimate with Richard Simon, and died canon of Avranches
at the end of the seventeenth century. Besides his works
in favour of the formulary, he left a treatise, entitled
*' Preuves et Prejuges pour la Religion Chretienne et Ca-
tholique, contre les fausses Religions, et I'Atheisme," 4to,
much esteemed by his Roman catholic brethren. It \vas
Dirois who inserted the ecclesiastical history of each cen-
tury in Mezeray's History of France.8
DISNEY (JoiiN), a learned English divine and magis-
trate, was born at Lincoln in 1677. "At the grammar school
in that city he received the early part of his education, and
afterwards studied at a private academy among the dissen-
ters, to whom his father was attached. He was next en-
tered at the Middle Temple with a viexv of making- him-
self so far acquainted with the law as to enable him to be-
come respectable as a magistrate and an author. The for-
mer character he sustained with dignity and much reputa-
tion : he was diligent, disinterested, and impartial in his
decistons : he took an active part with those who formed
themselves into a society for the suppression of vice and
» Moreri. — Mosbeim's Ecdes. Hist. " I.'Avocat. — Moreri.
D I S N E Y. 133
HP morality. His regard to duty gained him tlie respect of
the wise and good, and on some occasions he was singled
out as meriting the thanks of the judges of the circuit for
. ices that he had rendered his country. As he advanced
in life, and after he hud acted as a magistrate more than
twenty years, he conceived the design of becoming a mi-
nister in the church of England, with which he had com-
municated from the time that he had attained to manhood.
He was accordingly first ordained a deacon, and afterwards,
in 1719, a priest. In the same year he was presented with
the vicarage of Croft, and to the rectory of Kirby-super-
Baine, both in his native county. In the year 1722, he
was instituted to the vicarage of St. Mary in Nottingham,
to which town he removed ; and here he remained till his
death, Feb. 3, 1729-30, in the 53d year of his age. He
was buried, according to his own request, in the chancel
of his church, near to the communion-table, having no
other inscription over his grave than the initial letters of
his name, and the year of his death. He left a widow,
who afterwards lived at her own family-seat, Flintham-hall,
in Nottinghamshire, and died there May 20, 1763, in the
86th year of her age, by whom he had five sons and three
daughters.
He was a zealous advocate for, and a great friend to, the
religious societies (particularly that for the reformation of
manners), then in their infancy. His temper was naturally
warm and impatient ; but he was formed by nature also
with a generous and forgiving mind, and his warmth and
impatience were generally under the government of his
reason. His principles of religion were orthodox in re-
gard to points of doctrine and articles of faith: in respect
to the principles of others, they were truly catholic. Mr,
Disney's correspondence with some persons of high name
for literature in his age does honour to both parties. His
own learning was acknowledged, and the great work which
he had designed to have published, under the title of
" Corpus Legum de Moribus Reformandis," was greatly
approved by several judicious and learned men, and for-
warded by their ready answers to queries proposed to them
by the writer, as occasion suggested them, and not unfre-
qnently by their voluntary contributions. His own library
contained a very extensive and valuable collection of books
in all languages ; but he spared not journies to the public
libraries in London, and both of our universities, for the
134 DISNEY.
consultation of such scarce books and manuscripts as
were nowhere else to be met with. His manuscripts, which
are numerous, are preserved in his family, and his exact-
ness and precision in their arrangement, and the fairin
of their transcript, are peculiar to himself.
He published: 1. " Primitive Sacrse, the reflections of
a devout solitude, consisting of Meditations and Poems ou
divine subjects," London, 1701 and 1703, 8vo. 2. "Flora,"
in admiration of the Gardens of Rapin, and the translation
of Mr. Gardiner, written in 1705, prefixed to Subdean
Gardiner's translation of " Rapin of Gardens," the third
edition of which was published 1728, 8vo. 3. " An Essay
upon the Execution of the Laws against Immorality and
Profaneness. With a Preface addressed to her Majesty's
justices of the peace," London, 1708 and 1710, 8vo. His
portrait is prefixed to several copies on large paper. 4.
" A Second Essay upon the Execution of the Laws against
Immorality and Profaneness. Wherein the case of giving
informations to the magistrate is considered, and objections
against it answered. By John Disney, esq. With a Pre-
face addressed to grand juries, constables, and church-
wardens," London, 1710, 8vo. The preface to this se-
cond essay was afterwards printed in a small size by itself,
in order to distribute it among those whom it more par-
ticularly concerned. 5. " Remarks upon a Sermon preached
by Dr. Henry Sacheverell, at the assizes held at Derby,
Aug. 15, 1709. In a Letter to himself. Containing a
just and modest defence of the Societies for Reformation
of Manners, against the aspersions cast upon them in that
Sermon," London, 1711, 8vo. 6. Proposals for the pub-
lication of his great work, entitled " Corpus Legum de
Moribus Reformandis," dated Lincoln, 1713; a single
sheet, and republished in the " View of ancient laws."
7. " The Genealogy of the most serene and most illustrious
House of Brunswick Lunenburgh, the present royal fa-
mily of Great Britain ; drawn up from the best historical
and genealogical writers," 1714. Dedicated to his ma-
jesty, king George I. and engraved by .1. Sturt, on two
sheets of imperial paper. N. B. A mistake in this Genea-
logical Table is corrected in the "• Acta Regia," 1716, Svo,
vol. I. p. 102. Rymer says, that " Albert Great Duke of
Brunswick married Adelhard, daughter to Henry the
magnanimous duke of Brabant ; whereas, Mr. Disney
makes Adelhard daughter of the marquis of Montserrat,
DISNEY. 135
8. " A Sermon, preached in the parish church of St. Bo-
tolph's, Aldgate, London, on Sunday, Nov. 22, 1719,"
London, 1720, 8vo. 9 — 14. Six other occasional Ser-
mons. 15. " A View of ancient laws against Immorality
and Profaneness, under the following heads : lewdness ;
profane swearing, cursing, and blasphemy ; perjury; pro-
fanation of days devoted to religion ; contempt or neglect
of divine service ; drunkenness ; gaming, idleness, va-
grancy, and begging; stage-plays and players; and duel-
ling. Collected from the Jewish, Roman, Greek, Gothic,
Lombard, and other Laws, down to the middle of the
eleventh century." Dedicated to lord King, lord high
chancellor," Cambridge, 1729, fol.1
DITHMAR, DITMAR, or DIETHUMAR, bishop of
Mersburgh, in Misnia, was the son of Sigefroy, count of
Saxony, and was born in the year 976. In his eighteenth
or twentieth year, he embraced the monastic life, in the
convent of St. John of Magdeburgh ; and after he had
executed the office of prior in another religious house, the
emperor Henry II. advanced him in 1018, to the bishop-
ric of Mersburgh. In 1027 he began his Chronicle, in
seven books, which includes the history of the emperors
Henry I. ; Otto I. II. and III. ; and Henry II. which is
thought to be very faithful and accurate, lleinar Rei-
neccius published an edition of it at Francfort, in 1584,
fol. with a life of the author; and it has been also added
to the collection of the German historians. Other editions,
Francfort, 1600, and Helmstadt, 1664, followed; but the
best is that of Leibnitz, among his writers on the history
of the house of Brunswick, Hanover, fol. It was also
translated into German, and published in 1606, 4to.
Dithmar, after holding his bishopric a little more than ten
years, died Oct. 1, 1028, revered for his piety. 2
DITHMAR (JUSTUS CHRISTOPHER), professor of the
law of nature and nations, and of history, at Francfort on
the Oder, and a member of the royal society of Berlin,
was born March 13, 1677, at Rottenburgh, in Hesse.
His father was rector of that place, and became afterwards
minister and dean. His son was at first educated under
his care, which he amply repaid by a proficiency far be-
yond his years. In his seventeenth year he went to Mar-
1 Life in Biog. P.rit. by his grandson, Dr. Disney.
2 Moreri.— -Dupin, whose dates dirt'ur from the above.— Fabric. Bibl. Lat.
Hed.
136 D I T H M A R.
purg, and studied under Otto, the celebrated orientalist,
and Tilemann, professor of divinity, with whom he lodged,
and who afterwards procured him the appointment of tutor
to the two young barons of Morrien. Dithmar executed
this office with general satisfaction, and when he went af-
terwards to prosecute his studies at Leyden, he was main-
tained at the expence of the landgrave of He^r Cusstl.
He afterwards travelled over some parts of Germany and
Holland, as" tutor to the son of M. the great president
Dancklemann. The learned Perizonius, with whom he
became acquainted at Leyden, and who had a great es-
teem for him, procured him the offer of a prod s^orsiiip at
Leyden, with a liberal salary ; but Dithmar thought him-
self obliged first to return M. Dancklemann's sun to his
father, who was so sensible of the value of his services, as
to procure him a settlement at Francfort on the Oder.
Here he was appointed professor of history, then of the
law of nature and nations, and lastly, gave lectures on
statistics and finance. He had been before this admitted
a member of the royal society of Berlin, and was created
a counsellor of the order of St. John. His situation at
Francfort was in all respects so agreeable, that he refused
many offers to remove, and in 1715 again declined a very
honourable opportunity of settling at Leyden. He died
at Francfort March 13, 1737, after a short illness; and
with the reputation of one of the most learned men of his
time.
His works are: I. " Maimonidis constit. de Jurejurando,"
with notes and additions, Leyden, 4to. 2. " Gregorii
VII. pontif. Ilomani Vita," Francfort, 8vo. 3. " Historia
belli inter imperium et sacerdotium," ibid. 8vo. 4.
" Teschenmacheri Annalis divine, &c. notis, tabulis ge-
nealogicis et codice diplomatico illustrati," ibid. fol. 5.
" Summa Capita Antiq. Judaicarum et Romanarutn in
usum praelectionum privatarum," ibid. 4to. 6. " Chytraci
Marchia Brandenburgensis ad nostra tempora continuata,"
ibid. Svo. 7. " Delineatio historic Brandenburgensis in
privatis pnelectionibus prolixius illustranda," ibid. Svo.
8. " Delineatio historise praecipuorurn juris, aut pneten-
sium statibus Europe competentium in collegio private
magis illustranda," ibid. 9. " C. Corn. Taciti Germania,
cum perpetuo et pragmatico Commentario," ibid. Svo, a
very correct and valuable edition, which has been twice
reprinted since its first appearance, in 1724. 10. " Dis-
D I T H M A R. 137
sertatio deabdicatione regnorum, aliarumqtie dignitatum il-
lustrium turn secularium quamecclesiasticarum," ibid. 1724-,
4to ; a pamphlet. 11. " Cotnmentatio de honoratissimo
ordine militari de Balneo," ibid. 1729, fol. containing a
history of tbe origin of tbe order of the Bath ; its progress,
restoration (by George I. about four years before this pub-
lication), die rules of the order, and a list of the mem-
bers. 12. An edition of the history of the order of St. John,
by Becman, in German, 4to. 13. Introduction to the know-
ledge of finance, police, £.c. ; also in German, 8vo. Besides
these, he contributed some papers to the literary journals,
and superintended before his death a collection of his dis-
seruaions on various subjects of law and history, which
was published at Leipsic in 1737, 8vo. l
DITTON (HUMPHREY), an eminent mathematician, was
born at Salisbury, on the 2S>th of May, 1675, being the four-
teenth of that name in a direct line. His father was a gen-
tleman possessed of a small estate in the county of Wilts.
His mother was of the family of the Luttrells of Dunster-
castle, nearTannton, in Somersetshire, whose fortune made
a considerable increase to the family income. Mr. Ditton's
father being of the sect of nonconformists, and extremely
tenacious of his opinions, entered much into the religious con-
troversifs of those times, and in supporting such contentions
impaired iiis fortune, almost to the ruin of his family. Mr.
Humphrey Dit.ion was the only son ; and his father, observing
in him an extraordinary good capacity, was desirous that
he should .not want the advantage of a good education.
Accordingly, he placed him in a private academy, under
the direction of Dr. Olive, a clergyman of the established
church, who, notwithstanding his religious sentiments were
different from those of Mr. Ditton's family, was much es-
teemed by them for his candour and moderation in those
troublesome times. When Mr. Ditton had finished his studies
under Dr. Olive, he at the desire of his father, although
contrary to his own inclination, engaged in the professioa
of divinity, and began to exercise his function at Tun-
bridge, "in Kent, where he continued to preach some
years ; during which time he married Miss Ball, a lady at
that place.
He was so indefatigable and assiduous in the exercise
of his calling, that he very much impaired his health; so
1 Moreri. — Chaufepie. — Bibl. Gerraanique, vol. X. and XII. — Republic of
Letters, vol. IV.
13S D 1 T T O N.
that several of his friends foreseeing it \vould shorten his
life, advised him to relinquish a profession which the weak-
ness of his constitution could not support. These circum-
stances, together with the death of his father, which hap-
pened about the same time, determined him to quit the
profession of divinity ; and at the persuasion of Dr. Harris
and Mr. Whiston, hoth eminent mathematicians, he en-
gaged in the study of mathematics, to which he had always
a great propensity. In the prosecution of this science he
was much encouraged by the success and applause he re-
ceived. He was highly esteemed by sir Isaac Newton, by
whose interest and recommendation he was elected master
of the new mathematical school in Christ's hospital, in
which office he remained during his life.
Mr. Ditton published many mathematical and other
tracts. His first works were a paper on the Tangents of
Curves, and a treatise on Spherical Catoptrics, both which
were published in the " Philosophical Transactions." This
last was written in the Latin language, and was so highly
approved, that it was republished in a foreign periodical
work, called the " Acta Eruditortim," in 1707; and was
afterwards printed in the " Memoirs of the Academy of
Sciences at Paris." In 1706 he published a treatise, en-
titled, " An Institution of Fluxions, containing the first
principles, operations, and applications of that admirable
method, as invented by sir Isaac Newton." This work,
with additions and alterations, was again published by Mr.
John Clarke, in 1726, some years after Mr. Ditton's death.
The same year, 1706, Mr. Ditton also published a treatise
on the laws of nature and motion. Of this the celebrated
Wolfius makes mention-, and asserts, that it illustrates arid
renders easy the writings of Galileo, Huygens, and the
" Principia" of sir Isaac Newton. It is also noticed by De la
Roche, in " The Memoiresde Literature," vol. VIII. p. 46.
In 1709 he published the " Synopsis Algebraicum" of John
Alexander Bernatus Helvetius; with many additions and cor-
rections. His treatise on Perspective was published in 1712.
In this work he explained the principles of that art mathe-
matically ; and besides teaching the methods then gene-
rally practised, gave the first hints of the new method
afterward enlarged upon and improved by Dr. Brook Tay-
lor ; and which was published in 1715. Several publica-
tions of Mr. Ditton's appeared in 1714, one of which was
a " Discourse upon the Resurrection of Jesus Christ f*
DITTON. 139
the truth of which he here endeavoured to demonstrate.
This work went through four editions, and was translated
into several of the modem languages. Tindal, Collins,
and some other authors, opposed it, and endeavoured to
confute the reasoning ; to whom Ditton had begun an
answer, but died before it was finished ; and his friends,
upon revising it, found it too incomplete to hazard its
publication. Another of his works that appeared in the
same year, was, " The new law of Fluids ; or, a Discourse
concerning the ascent of liquids, in exact geometrical
figures, between two nearly contiguous surfaces." To
tins was annexed a tract, to demonstrate the impossibility
of thinking or perception being the result of any combina-
tion of the parts of matter and motion ; a subject much
agitated in those days by the free-thinkers and their oppo-
nents. There was also adjoined to this work an adver-
tisement from him and Mr. Whiston, concerning a method
for discovering the longitude ; which, it appears, they
had published about half a year before. This attempt, it is
thought, cost Mr. Ditton his life ; for, although it was ap-
proved and countenanced by sir Isaac Newton, previously
to its being presented to the Board of longitude, and the
method lias been since successfully put in practice, in
finding the longitude between Paris and Vienna, yet that
board then determined against it. Such a disappointment,
together with the public ridicule incurred, is supposed to
have affected his health, but this we think unlikely, as his
death was occasioned by a putrid fever, which proved
fatal Oct. 13, 1715, in the fortieth year of his age. He
was much regretted by the philosophical literati of that
time, who expected from his assiduity, learning, and pe-
netrating genius, many useful and ingenious discoveries*.
* Doctor Arbuthnot, in a letter to charges, and dimensions. Now you
dean Swift, dated July 17, 1714, says, must understand, his project is by
'• Whiston has at last published his light-houses, and explosions of bombs
piojcct of the longitude ; the most ri- at a certain hour." Absurd, however,
diculou* thing that ever was thought as this might appear to the wits of the
on. Hut a pox on him, he has spoilt day, Whiston's plan was the caus* of
one of my papers of Scriblerus, which an act being passed in the British par-
was a proposal tor the longitude, not liamf nt, allowing '2000/. towards mak-
very unlike his, to this purpose; that, ing experiments; and =»lso offering a
since there was no pole for east and reward to the person who should dis-
west, all the pi inces of Europe should cover the longitude at sea, propor-
join and built two prodigious poles, tioned to the degree of accuracy that
upon high mountains, with a vast light- might be attained by such discovery;
house, to serve for a pole-star. I was viz. a reward of 10, 0001. if it deter-
thjiiking of a calculation of the time, mines the longitude to one degree pf
1*0 DITTO N.
In an account of Mr. Ditton, prefixed to the German
translation of his Discourse on the Resurrection, it is said,
that he had published, in his own name only, another me-
thod for finding the longitude; but which Mr. Whiston
denied*. However, Raphael Levi, a learned Jew, who
bad studied under Leibnitz, informed the German editor
that he well knew that Ditton and Leibnitz hud corre-
sponded upon the subject ; and that Ditton had sent to
Leibnitz a delineation of a machine he had invented
that purpose ; which was a piece of mechanism con
with many wheels, like a clock, and which Leibnitz highly
approved of for land use,*but doubted whether it wouldans-
wer on ship-board, on account of the motion of the ship.
Mr. Ditton was buried in the cloisters of Christ's-hos-
pital, on the north side of the quadrangle, and near the
passage at its east end. A large blue grave-stone, with a
Latin inscription cut in it, was laid over the grave. The
stone yet remains; but the inscription is entirely effaced.
From a private diary of Mr. Ditton's, he appears to have
been a man of warm piety and simplicity of heart. His
son, the rev. John Ditton, was many years lecturer of St.
Mary's, Islington, where he died March 16, 1776.1
DLUGOSS (JOHN LONGINUS), a Polish historian, was
born in Ml 5, at Brzeznich, a town in Poland, of which
his father was governor. In his sixth year, his father
being appointed governor of Korczyn, he was removed
thither with the family, and began his education, which was
continued in the different places of which his father was
successively appointed governor, until he was sent to
Cracow. Here and at other places he pursued his studies,
with very little encouragement from his father, but found
a friend in Zbigneus, bishop of Cracow, who was a patron
of learned men. This prelate first placed him at the head
of his chancery, after that of his house, and at last made
him general manager of his affairs ; and he acquitted him-
a great circle, or 60 geographical and 20.000/. if it determines it to half
miles; lo,000/. if it determines the that distance ; with other regulations
same to two-thirds of that distance ; and encouragements.
* So in the Biographia Britannica, 174<>, Whiston informs us that he
which does not give us the date of this wrote a life of his friend, to be pre-
German translation. There was a Ger- fixed to a German cdrion then in the
jnan translation published in IT'20, by press, and in which he would riot have
Cornelius Coorn, which might have a asserted what is here contradicted,
life of Ditton prclixrd to it, but in
1 Biog. Brit. — Whiston's Memoirs. — Gospel Magazine, by Vallance and
Simmons, for 1777, where are many extracts tiom his Diary.
D L U G O S S. 141
self so much to the satisfaction of the bishop, that on his
death-bed he appointed him one of his executors. He
had also ordained him priest at the age of twenty-five, and
gave him some church preferment, particularly the living
of St. Martin of Klobuczk, and a canonry of Cracow. He
\vas afterwards promoted to be chanter, and treasurer
of the church of Vissicza, canon of Sendomir, and got
some other preferments less considerable. Tfoe only use
he made of the wealth arising from these benefices, was
to share it with poorer clergymen of talents and character; ,.
or to bestow it on the poor, on the repairs of churches,
and other pious purposes. Eugene IV. having appointed
Zbignetis to the dignity of cardinal, and several impedi-
ments being thrown in the way of this preferment, Dlugoss
went to Rome in 1449, and had these difficulties removed.
Pope Nicholas V. employed him to carry the cardinal's
cap to the bishop, which he had the honour to put on his
head in the cathedral of Cracovr, in the same year. In
1450 he took a journey to the land of Palestine, where he
contemplated with veneration the places dignified by being
the site of Scripture history. On his return to Poland,
king Casimir IV. appointed him tutor to his sons, which
office he filled for many years with great reputation. On
the death of his early patron, cardinal Zbigneus, in April
1455, Dlugoss was accused by the brother of the deceased
for having abused his confidence, a charge which he had
little difficulty in repelling, but was less successful with
the king, whose displeasure he incurred by espousing the
cause of an ecclesiastic whom the pope had nominated
bishop of Cracow, while the king had nominated another;
and for this slight reason Dlugoss was exiled for the space
of three years ; at the end of which, however, he was re-
called, and his majesty restored him to his favour, and not
only consulted him on many public affairs of importance,
but employed him to negociate in various parts of Europe,
on matters respecting the interests of Poland. At length
he was appointed archbishop of Leopold, but died before
his consecration, May 29, 1480. His principal historical
work is entitled " Historia Polronica," the first volume of
which was printed in 1615, fol. This edition, which is of
rai .- jccurrence, is one of the few scarce books which pro-
c< od from the private press of Herburt of DobTornil,
It contains, however, only the first six books, bringing the
history clown to 1240 ; the rest remained i-u manuscript
142 D L U G O S S.
until 1711, when they were printed at Francfort, along
with the preceding, under the title " J. Dlugossi historiie
Polonicoe Hbri duodecim, &c." This hrings the history
down to 1444, but a continuation was published by J. G.
Krause, which he called the thirteenth book, at Leipsic,
1712, folio, and which extends to 1480, the year of the
author's death. He is esteemed a very correct historian,
although not free from the barbarism of his age. His other
works are, 1. " Vita St. Stanislai episcopi et martyns,"
Cracow, 1611 and 1666. 2. " Plocensium episcoporuin
vita1," which is inserted in " Stanislai Lubienski opera post-
hum^," Antwerp, 1643, fol. 3."Vitae episcoporum Postna-
.jiiensium," 1G'24, 4to ; and some other lives of bishops.1
DOBSON (WILLIAM), an English painter, was born in
London, in 1610. His father was master of the Alienation
office ; but " spending his estate upon women, necessity
forced his son to be the most excellent painter that England
hath yet bred." He was put out early an apprentice to
one Mr. Peake, a stationer and trader in pictures, with
whom he served his time. Nature inclined him very
powerfully to the practice of painting after the life, in
which he had some instructions from Francis Cieyne ; and,
by his master's procurement, he had the advantage of
copying many excellent pictures, especially some of Ti-
tian and Van Dyck. How much he was beholden to the
latter, may easily be seen in all his works ; no painter
having ever so happily imitated that excellent master, who
was so much pleased with his performances, that he pre-
sented him to Charles I. This monarch took him into
his immediate protection, kept him in Oxford all the
while his majesty continued in that city, sat several
times to him for his picture, and obliged the prince of
Wales, prince Rupert, and most of the lords of his court,
to do the like. Dobson \\as a fair, middle-sized man,
of a ready wit and pleasing conversation ; but some-
what loose and irregular in his way of living ; and, not-
withstanding the opportunities he had of making his for-
tune, died poor at his house in St. Martin's-lane, in 1647.
Although it was his misfortune to want suitable helps in
beginning to apply himself to painting, and he was much
disturbed by tiie commotions of the unhappy times tie nou-
rished in, yet he shone out through all disadvantages ;
i Niceron, vo'. XXXVIII.— Moreri.— Fabric. Bibl. Med. Lat.— Clement Bitd.
Ourieuse, — Saxii Onuma&ticon.
D O B S O N. 143
and it is universally agreed, that, had his education and
encouragement been answerable to his genius, England
might justly have been as proud of her Dobson, as Ve-
nice of her Titian, or Flanders of her Van Dyck. He
was both a history and portrait painter ; and there are in
the collections of the dukes of Marlborough, Devonshire,
Northumberland, and the earl of Pembroke, several of his
pictures of both kinds.1
DOD (JOHN), usually styled the DECALOGIST, from his
Commentary on the commandments, and called b}' Fuller,
the " last of the Puritans," was a native of Shotledge, in.
Cheshire; in which county there were several ancient fa-
milies of the Dods; but to which of them he belonged, we
have not been able to ascertain. He was born, the youngest
of seventeen children, in 1547, and sent to school at West-
Chester, but Mr. Cole says he was educated at Winchester,
a name which he probably transcribed hastily for the other.
In 1561, when he was fourteen years of a;j;e, he was en-
tered of Jesus college, Cambridge, of which he was chosen
fellow in 1585, according to a MS note of Mr. Baker;
and Mr. Cole adds, that he was junior proctor in 1614;
both which dates must belong to some other person, as it
does not appear that he remained in all more than six-
teen years at college. At what time he took his master's
degree is uncertain, but a few years after, being appointed
to oppose in the philosophy act at the commencement, he
exhibited such a display of talents, as highly gratified his
hearers, and in consequence, he had liberal offers to re-
move to Oxford. These he declined, but was incorpo-
rated M. A. in that university in 1585. Associating much
with Drs. Fulke, Chaclerton, and Whitaker, he imbibed
the principles and strictness for which they were famous,
and conceived an early dislike to some of the ceremonies
or discipline of the church, but to what we are no.t told.
After taking orders, he first preached a weekly lecture at
Ely, until invited by sir Anthony Cope to be minister of
Hanwell, in Oxfordshire, in 1577, where he became a
constant and diligent preacher, and highly popular. Nor
was his hospitality Jess conspicuous, as he kept an open
table on Sundays and Wednesdays — lecture days, gene-
rally entertaining on these occasions from eight to twelve
persons at dinner. At Hanwell he remained twenty years,
1 Biof. Brit. — Walpole's Antedates. — Pilkington. — Letter* by eminent Per-
sons, &c. 18 13, 3 voU. 3vo.
144 D O D.
in the course cf which he married, and had a large family;
but, owing to his nonconformity in some points, he was
suspended by Dr. Bridges, bishop of Oxford. After this,
he preached for some time at Fenny-Compton, in War-
wickshire, and from thence was called to Cannons Ashby,
in Northamptonshire, where he was patronized- by sir Eras-
mus Dryden ; but here again he was silenced, in conse-
quence of a complaint made by bishop Neale to king
Jarnes, who commanded archbishop Abbot to pronounce
that sentence. During this suspension of his public ser-
vices, he appears to have written his Commentary on the
Decalogue and Proverbs, which he published in conjunc-
tion with one Robert Cleaver, probably another silenced
puritan, of whom we can find no account. At length, by
the interest of the family of Knightley, of Northampton-
shire, after the death of king James, he was presented in
1624, to the living of Fawesley, in that county. Here he
recommended himself as before, not more by his earnest
and affectionate services in the pulpit, than by his charity
und hospitality, and particularly by his frequent visits and
advice ; which last he delivered in a manner peculiarly
striking. A great many of his sayings became almost pro-
verbial, and remained so for above a century, being, as
may yet be remembered, frequently printed in a small
tract, or on a broad sheet, and suspended in every cottage.
On the commencement of the rebellion he suffered con-
siderably, his house being plundered, as the house of a
puritan, although he was a decided enemy to the pro-
ceedings of the republicans. When they were about to
abolish the order of bishops, &c. Dr. Brownrig sent to Mr.
Dod, for his opinion, who answered, that "he had been
scandalized with the proud and tyrannical practises of the
Marian bishops; but now, after more than sixty years' ex-
perience of many protestant bishops, tbt't had been worthy
preachers, learned and orthodox writers, great champions
for the protestant cause, he wished all his friends not to
fee any impediment to them, and exhorted all men not to
take up arms against the king; which was his doctrine, he
said, upon the fifth commandment, and he would never
depart from it." He died in August, 1645, at the very
advanced age of ninety-seven, and was buried on the I9th
of that month, at Favvesl-ey, in Northamptonshire. Fuller
says, " with him the Old Puritan seemed to expire, and
iu his grave to be interred. Humble, meek, patient,
D O D. 145
charitable as in his censures of, so in his alms to others.
Would I could truly say but half so much of the next ge-
neration !" " He was," says the same author, " a passive
nonconformist, not loving any one the worse for difference
in judgment about ceremonies, but all the better for their
unity of affections in grace and goodness. He used to
retrench some hot spirits when inveighing against bishops,
telling them how God under that government had given a
marvellous increase to the gospel, and that godly men
might comfortably comport therewith, under which learning
and religion had so manifest an improvement." He was
an excellent scholar, particularly in the Hebrew language,
which he taught to the celebrated John Gregory, of Christ-
church, Oxford. The no less celebrated Dr. Wilkins was
his grandson, and born in his house at Fawesley, in 1614,
a date which seems to interfere with that given above as
the date of Mr. Dod's presentation to Fawesley, which we
have taken from the register in Bridges's Northampton-
shire, but he might probably have resided there previous
to the living becoming vacant. Of his works we know
only that which conferred on him the name of the Deca-
logist, " A plain and familiar Exposition of the Ten Com-
mandments," London, 1606, 4to ; and " A plain and
familiar Exposition" of certain chapters of the Book of
Proverbs, 1606, 4to, published at different times; and
the prefaces signed by Dod and Cleaver. There are
some original letters by Dod in the British Museum,
(Ayscough, No. 4275), addressed to lady Vere. They con-
sist chiefly of pious exhortations respecting the confused
state of public affairs. In one of them, dated Dec. 20,
1642, he says, he is "not far off ninety-five years old,'*
which has enabled us to ascertain his age, hitherto incor-
rectly given by his biographers.1
DOD ART (DENIS), doctor regent of the faculty of
medicine at Paris, where he was born in 1634, was edu-
cated not only in the learned languages, but in painting,
music, and other elegant accomplishments, and exhibited
early such traits of genius and learning, that Guy Patin,
not in general very lavish of praise, considered him as
one of the most learned men of his time. In a letter to a
' Clark's Lives of Eminent Divines. — Lloyd's Memoirs, fol. — Fuller's Worthies.
—Fuller's Church History, book XI. p. 219. — Wood's Fasti.— Plume's Life of
Bishop Racket, p. xxv. — Cole's MS Athense in Urit. Mu«. — Hawkins's Life of
Johnson, p. 541. — Granger.
VOL. XII. L
146 DODART.
friend, he called him " Monstrnm sine Vitio," a charac-
ter which Adrian Turnebus applied to Scaliger; and in
another letter, Patin redoubles his praise of young Dodart,
Having in 1660 taken his degree of doctor, he soon at-
tained to distinction in his profession, being the following,
year called to attend the princess dowager of Conti, and
the princes, her children ; and some time after he was ap-
pointed physician to the king, Louis XIV. In 1673 he
was made a member of the academy of sciences, and in
compliance with their wishes, he wrote a preface to the
" Memoires pour servir a 1'Histoire de Flantes," published
by the academy, in 1676, which Chamberlayne in his
Lives of the Academicians strangely mistakes for " Me-
moirs to serve for the History of France !" and gravely
argues upon his fitness for the work. Dodart employed
some labour in making chemical analyses of plants, with
the view of acquiring a more intimate knovvlege of their
medical virtues, agreeably to the opinions that then pre-
vailed, but which further experience has shewn not to be
well founded. He pursued his statical experiments, to
find the proportion that perspiration bears to the other ex-
cretions, for more than thirty years. The results first ap-
peared in 1699, in the Memoirs of the academy, and
were afterwards published separately, under the title of
" Medicina Statica Gallica." In the course of those ex-
periments, he found that during the Lent in one year, he
had lost in weight eight pounds five ounces : returning to
his ordinary way of living, he recovered what he had lost
in a very short time. He once purposed writing a history
of music, but only finished a memoir on the voice, which
is published among the Memoirs of the Academy. He was
of a grave disposition, Fontenelle says, pious and abste-
mius ; and his death, which, happened Nov. 5th, 1707,
was much regretted.
His son, CLAUDE- JOHN- BAPTISTE DODART, following in
the steps of his father, was made M. D. in 1688, and in
1718 was appointed first physician to Louis XV. The
only work in which he was concerned, was an edition of
" Pomet's History of Drugs," with some useful notes.
He died at Paris, in 1730.1
DODD (CHARLES), a Roman catholic historian, deserves
a fuller memorial than can now be recovered. All we
1 Moreri.— Rees's Cycloptedia.
D O D D. 147
know of him is derived from Mr. Berrington, who informs
us that he was a clergyman of the Roman church, resided
at Harvington in Worcestershire, and died there about the
year 1745. His virtues and talents were eminent, and his
labours in the range of literature were incessant and mani-
fold. The work that has principally given celebrity to his
name is a " Church History of England," 1737 — 1742, 3
vols. folio, with the place of Brussels, but evidently from
the type, &c. printed in England. Having had repeated
occasion to consult it, we are ready to acknowledge
our obligations for information derived from this history,
which cost the author the labour of thirty years ; and
we agree with Mr. Berrington, that it contains much cu-
rious matter, collected with great assiduity, and many ori-
ginal records. The author's style, when the subject ad-
mits expression, is pure and unincumbered, his narration
easy, and his reflections just and liberal, at least as much
so as can be expected from an undisguised zeal for a cer-
tain train of opinions, and certain views of history. His
materials are perhaps not well arranged, and he was him-
self, we are told, so dissatisfied, as, with his own hand, to
copy this voluminous work into two or three different forms.
This history remained for many years almost unknown,
and we can remember when it was sold almost at the price
of waste-paper. Its worth is now better ascertained, and
the last copy offered for sale, belonging to the marquis
Tenvnshend's library, was sold for ten guineas. 1
DODD (DR. WILLIAM), an ingenious divine, of unfor-
tunate memory, was born in 1729, at Bourne in Lincoln-
shire ; of which place his father, of the same names, was
many years vicar. After being educated at a private
school in classical learning, he was admitted a sizar of
Clare-hall in Cambridge in 1745, where he gave early
proofs of parts and scholarship, and so early as in 1747
began to publish little pieces of poetry. In this year he
published (without his name) "A Pastoral on the Distem-
per among the horned cattle;" in 174y, "The African
prince, now in England, to Zara at his father's court," and
" Zara's answer;" in 1750, " A day in Vacation at Col-
lege," a mock-heroic poem in blank verse ; abridgments of
Grotius " De jure belli et pacis," and of Clarke on the
1 Herrington's Preface to the Memoirs of Panzaci. where Dodd's share in
that work is acknowledged,
1 2
148 D O D D.
being and attributes of God, with sir Jeffrey Gilbert's Ab-
stract of Locke on the human understanding, all inscribed
to Dr. Keene, then vice-chancellor of the university, and
afterwards bishop of Ely, under the title " Synopsis com-
pendiaria Librorum H. Gfotii de jure belli et pacis, S.
Clarkii de Dei existentia et attributes, et J. Lockii de in-
tellectu humano." He published also, while at Cam-
bridge, " A new Book of the Dunciad, occasioned by Mr.
Warburton's edition of the Dunciad complete," in which
"Warburton is made the hero. About the same time he
published proposals for a translation, by subscription, of the
Hymns of Callimaehus, the fragments of Orpheus, &c.
from the Greek ; and wrote a tragedy, with choruses,
called " The Syracusan." He continued to make frequent
publications in this light way, in which there were always
marks of sprightliness and ingenuity ; but at the same time
imbibed that taste for expence and dissipation which finally
proved his ruin. In January 1750 he took the degree of
13. A. with reputation ; and that of master in 1757. Before
he was in orders he had begun and finished his selection of
4< The Beauties of Shakspeare," which he published soon
after in 2 vols. 12mo, and, at the conclusion of the pre-
face, tells us, as if resigning all pursuits of the profane
kind, that " better and more important things henceforth
demanded his attention :'' nevertheless, in 1755, he pub-
lished his translation of the hymns of Callimachus, in Eng-
lish verse ; in the preface to which he was assisted by Mr.
(afterwards Dr.) Home, bishop of Norwich. Happy would
it have been, had he remained longer in the friendship of
that excellent man, whom, however, he soon disgusted by
his vanity and unbecoming conduct. His " Callimachus"
was dedicated to the duke of Newcastle, by tile recom-
mendation of Dr. Keene, bishop of Chester ; who, having
conceived a good opinion of Dodd at the university, was
desirous of bringing him forward into the world.
In 1753 he received orders ; and, being now settled in
London, soon became a very popular and celebrated
preacher. He obtained several lectureships ; that of
West- Ham and Bow, that of St. James Garlickhithe, and
that of St. Olave Hart-street; and was appointed to preacli
a course of lady Moyer's lectures : and he advanced his
theological character greatly, by an almost uninterrupted
publication of sermons and tracts of piety. And farther to
keep up the profession of sanctity, and increase bis popu-
D O D D. 149
larky, he was very zealous in promoting and assisting at
charitable institutions, and distinguished himself much in.
regard to the Magdalen hospital, which was opened in
August 1758: he became preacher at the chapel of this
charity, for which he was allowed yearly I OO/. But, not-
withstanding his apparent attention to spiritual concerns,
he was much more in earnest, and indeed in earnest only
in cultivating his temporal interests ; but all his expedients
were not successful, and his subservient flattery was some-
times seen through. In 1759 he published in 2 vols. 12mo,
bishop Hall's Meditations, and dedicated them to Miss
Talbot, who lived in the family of archbishop Seeker; and,
on the honour the marquis of Granby acquired in Ger-
many, addressed an ode to the marchioness. His dedica-
tion to Miss Talbot was too extravagant a piece of flattery
not to miss its aim, and gave such offence to the archbishop,
that, after a warm epistolary expostulation, his grace in-
sisted on the sheet being cancelled in all the remaining
copies.
Dr. Squire, who in 1760 was made bishop of St. David's,
had published the year before a work entitled " Indiffer-
ence for Religion inexcusable :" on the appearance of
which, Dodd wrote a sonnet, and addressed it to the
author, who was so well pleased with this mark of his at-
tention, that in 1761 he made him his chaplain, and in
1763 procured for him a prebend of Brecon. He also
egregiously flattered this prelate in '* The Public Ledger,"
in which he then wrote : and about the same time he is
supposed to have defended the measures of administra-
tion, in some political pieces. From 1760 to 1767 he su-
perintended and contributed largely to " The Christian's
Magazine," for which he received from the proprietors
100/. yearly. By all these employments and contrivances
he earned money enough to support a man of moderate
expences ; but a very considerable fortune would have
been too small for the luxurious style of living in which he
delighted to indulge, and which in him may have been
reckoned original, as he never lived in any situation where
he could have acquired the habit.
Still, however, he preserved theological appearances ;
and he now meditated a design of publishing a large com-
mentary on the Bible. In order to give the greater e"clat
to this undertaking, and draw the public attention upon it,
it was, announced, that lord Masham presented hiiu with
150 D O D D.
MSS. of Mr. Locke, found in his lordship's library at
Gates*; and that he had helps also from MSS. of lord
Clarendon, Dr. Watcrland, Gilbert West, and other cele-
brated men. He began to publish this commentary,
1765, in weekly and monthly numbers; and continued to
publish it regularly till it was completed in 3 vols. folio.
It was dedicated to his patron bishop Squire, who died in
May the year following, 1766 ; and was lamented (we be-
lieve very sincerely) by our commentator, in a funeral ser-
mon dedicated to his widow. This year he took the de-
gree of LL. D. at Cambridge, having been made a chap-
lain to the king some time before. His next publication
•was a volume of his poems, in 8vo. In 1769 he published
a translation from the French, of " Sermons preached be-
fore Lewis XV. during his minority, by Massillon, bishop
of Clermont." They were called " Sermons on the duties
of the great," and inscribed to the prince of Wales. In
1771 he published "Sermons to Young Men," 3 vols.
12mo. These he dedicated to his pupils Charles Ernst
and Philip Stanhope, now earl of Chesterfield, he having
become tutor to the latter, by the recommendation of
bishop Squire.
In 1772 he was presented to the living of HocklifTe in
Bedf^rd&uire: but such a preferment was of little avail in
supplying his wants. The habits of expence had gained
an irresistible ascendancy over him : he was vain ; he was
pompous ; which persons emerging from low situations in
life are apt to be ; and thus became involved and sinking
under debts. To relieve himself, he was tempted to a
step which ruined him for ever with those who had not be-
fore seen through his character; and this was, to procure
by indirect means the rectory of St. George's, Hanover-
square. On the preferment of Dr. Moss to the see of Bath
and Wells, in 1774, that rectory fell to the disposal of the
crown ; on which, Dodd caused an anonymous letter to be
sent to lady Apsley, offering the sum of 3000/. if by her
means he could be presented to the living : the letter was
immediately communicated to the chancellor; and, after
being traced to the sender, laid before the king. His
name was ordered to be struck out of the list of chaplains ;
the press abounded with satire and invective ; he was
abused and ridiculed in the papers of the day; and, to
* See the life of Chillingwortb, where this matter is more fully explained.
D O D D. 151
crown the whole, the transaction became a subject of en-
tertainment, in one of Foote's performances at the Hay-
market. All the answer he made was a short letter in the
newspapers, requesting the public to suspend their opi-
nions, and promising an elucidation of the affair, which
never appeared.
Stung with shame, if not remorse, he decamped for a
season ; and went to his pupil then at Geneva, who added
to Hocklitfe the living of Winge in Buckinghamshire: but
his extravagance continued undiminished, and drove him
to schemes which covered him with infamy. He now be-
came the editor of a newspaper, and is said to have at-
tempted a disengagement from his debts by a commission
of bankruptcy, in which, however, he failed. From this
period every step led to complete his ruin. In the sum-
mer of 1776 he went to France ; and, as if he had a mind
to wanton in folly, paraded in a phaeton at the races on
the plains of Sablons, tricked out in all the foppery of
French attire. He returned in the beginning of winter,
and proceeded to exercise his function with the same for-
mality and affected earnestness as formerly} particularly at
the Magdalen chapel, where his last sermon was preached,
Feb. 2, 1777*. Two days after this, he signed a bond,
which he had forged as from his pupil lord Chesterfield,
for the sum of 4-00/. and, upon the credit of it, obtained a
considerable sum of money : but detection instantly fol-
lowing, he was committed to prison, tried and convicted at
the Old Bailey, Feb. 24, and executed at Tyburn, June
27, where he exhibited every appearance of penitence.
The unusual distance between the pronouncing and exe-
cuting of his sentence was owing to a doubt for some time,
respecting the admissibility of an evidence, whose testi-
mony had been made use of to convict him.
Before concluding this part of his history, we shall enu-
merate such of his publications as remain unnoticed. These
were, " An Elegy on the death of the Prince of Wales ;"
" The Sisters, or the History of Lucy and Caroline Sanson,"
2 vols. 12mo, a work very unfriendly to morals; several
occasional Sermons; three on "The Wisdom and Good-
ness of God in the Vegetable Creation," preached before
the Apothecaries' Company ; " Thoughts on the glorious
* It is said that his text was taken actions, and every one could see theit
from Deut. ch. xxviii. verses C5 anil tendency, CKCept himself,
£6. There was a fatality in all his
152 D O D D.
Epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ," a poem, 1758;
" Sermons on the Parables and Miracles;" " Account of
the Rise, Progress, &c. of the Magdalen Charity ;" " A
Familiar Explanation of the Poetical Works of Milton,"
1762 ; " Reflections on Death," 1763; " Comfort for the
Afflicted under every affliction, with suitable devotions,'*
1764, 12mo; " The Visitor," a collection of essays ori-
ginally printed in the Public Ledger, 1766, 2 vols. 12mo ;
an edition of what is called " Locke's Common- place book
to the Bible," 4to ; and in 1776 he issued proposals for a
History of Free- Masonry, to be comprized in 2 vols. 4to ;
and had projected an edition of Shakspeare, from which
he had great expectations. But of all his works the most
curious are, his " Thoughts in Prison, in five parts, viz. the
Imprisonment, the Retrospect, public Punishment, the
Trial, Futurity :" to which are added, his speech in court
before sentence was pronounced on him ; his last prayer,
written the night before his death ; the convict's address
to his unhappy brethren, and other miscellaneous pieces,
some of which were written for him by Dr. Johnson. Pre-
fixed to the MS. is the ensuing note by himself : " April
23, 1777. I began these thoughts merely from the im-
pression of my mind, without plan, purpose, or motive,
more than the situation and state of my soul. I continued
them on a thoughtful and regular plan : and I have been
enabled wonderfully — in a state, which in better days I
should have supposed would have destroyed all power of
reflection — to bring them nearly to a conclusion. I dedi-
cate them to God, and to the reflecting serious amongst my
fellow-creatures; and I bless the Almighty for the ability to
go through them, amidst the terrors of this dire place, and
the bitter anguish of my disconsolate mind. — The thinking
will easily pardon all inaccuracies, as I am neither able nor
willing to read over these melancholy lines with a curious
and critical eye. They are imperfect, but the language of
the heart ; and, had I time and inclination, might and
should be improved. But W. D."
This wretched man was married so early as April 1751,
even before he was in orders, or had any certain means of
supporting himself; but his wife, " though largely endow-
ed with personal attractions, was certainly deficient in
those of birth and fortune." She survived to the year 1784.
Dr. Dodd exhibits the most awful instance known in our
days of the miserable consequences of indulging habits of
D O D D. 153
gaiety and expence in a profession to which the world looks
for a more edifying example. His life, by his own con-
fession, was for many years fearfully erroneous. But the
most remarkable part of his history was the uncommon in-
terest excited in the public mind, and the numerous peti-
tions presented to the throne in his favour. Even the
talents of Dr. Johnson were engaged to give a fair colour-
ing to his case, and to combine with public sympathy a
high opinion of the talents of which the world was about
to be deprived. For this purpose the pen of that eminent
writer was employed in writing those papers and docu-
ments which, to be any thing, ought to have been written
by Dodd himself, but which, being immediately known to
be Johnson's, could only be considered as a part of that
literary quackery which Dodd had so often practised. Dr.
Johnson appears indeed in this instance to have been more
swayed by popular judgment, than he would perhaps have
been willing to allow. The cry was, the honour of the
clergy ; but if the honour of the clergy was tarnished, it
was by Dodd's crime, and not his punishment ; for his life
had been so long a disgrace to his cloth, that he had de-
prived himself of the sympathy which attaches to the first
deviation from rectitude, and few criminals could have had
less claim to such a display of popular feeling. l
DODiNGTON (GEORGE BUBB), LORD MELCOMBE, the
son of a gentleman of fortune in Dorsetshire*, was born
in 1691, and appears to have been educated at Oxford.
In 1715 he was elected member of parliament for Win-
chelsea, and was soon after appointed envoy-extraordinary
at the court of Spain, in which capacity he signed the
treaty of Madrid, and remained there until 1717. In
1720, by the death of his uncle George Dodington of
Eastbury in Dorsetshire, he came into possession of a very
large estate in that county, on which he built a magnificent
1 Memoirs prefixed to his " Thoughts in Prison." — Historical Memoirs of
his Life and Writings, 1777, Svo, written by the late Isaac Reed. — Jones's Life of
Home, p. 54. — Gent. Mag. LX. 1010, 1066, 1077, where are some feeble at-
tempts to prove him a penitent. — Boswell's Life of Johnson,.
* It has usually been said that he who, by that right became possessed
was the son of an apothecary ; but a of the estate and magnificent house at
correspondent in the British Critic for Kastbury, after the death of lord Mel-
Feb. 1809, gives the following account combe. The other married an Irish
of the family. There were two heiresses fortune-hunter of the name of Bulib,
in Somersetshire of the name of Dod- and the offspring of this marriage was
insrton; one was married into the fa- the subject of the present article.
.Judy of the marquis of Buckingham,
154 D O D I N G T O N.
seat at the expence of 140,000/. which was often the resi-
dence of the first writers of the times, of Thomson, Young,
Pitt, Lyttelton, &c. and the beauties of which have been
frequently celebrated by them. On this great accession of
property, he took the surname of Dodington. In 1721 he
was appointed lord lieutenant of the county of Somerset ;
in 1724 was constituted a lord of the treasury, and obtained
the lucrative o trice of clerk of the peils in Ireland. While
he was lord of the treasury, Thomson dedicated the first
edition of his " Summer" to him, in 1727; but this dedi-
cation, of the flattery of which Thomson became probably
ashamed, was never reprinted.
At this period Dodington closely connected himself with
sir Robert Walpole, and in 1726 published a poetical
epistle addressed to that minister, which is remarkable only
for its servility, and which he afterwards, changing the
name, addressed to lord Bute. In 1734 he was elected
member for Weymouth, and in 1737 he took a very de-
cided part in the contest between George II. and the
prince of Wales, in the question about the augmentation
of his allowance, and a jointure for the princess. This
transaction forms one of the best parts of his " Diary,"
lately published. At this time he appears to have acted
with some coolness towards sir Robert Walpole, in conse-
quence of which he was, in 1740, dismissed from his seat
in the treasury, and joined the ranks of opposition ; but
although his new friends succeeded in procuring the dis-
missal of the Walpole administration, Dodington was pro-
bably disappointed, since he became principally concerned
in that opposition which brought about the downfall of this
new administration. On their succession to power in 1745,
he was made treasurer of the navy, and sworn of the privy-
council, but his versatility would not permit him to remain
steady to this party. In March 1749, the prince of Wales
offered him a full return to his favour, and the principal
direction of his affairs, to which Dodington agreed, and
resigned his office of treasurer of the navy. He now fan-
cied himself at the head of a formidable band, whom he
was about to muster and train, when almost immediately
an opposition was formed against him in the prince's
household, and, as he informs us, he foresaw there was
no prospect of " doing any good." He continued, how-
ever, in the household until the prince's death, which put
an end to the hopes of all his highness's dependents.
D O D I N G T O N. 155
For some time, Mr. Dodington, although desirous of re-
gaining his influence at court, found all his efforts unsuc-
cessful ; hut at length, on the sudden change which took
place in 1755, he accepted his former post of treasurer of
the navy under the duke of Newcastle, which he retained
until, another change taking place the following year, he
was again left alone, and gave up all hopes of establishing
himself at court during that reign. On the accession of his
present majesty he was very early received into the con-
fidence of lord Bute, and in 1761 was advanced to the
peerage by the title of lord Melcombe, yet he attained no
ostensible post, nor indeed did he long survive his baronial
honours, as he died at his house at Hammersmith, July
28, 1762.
Lord Melcombe is allowed to have been generous, mag-
nificent, and convivial, but more respected as a private
gentleman than as a politician. In the one character he
was free, easy, and engaging ; in the other intriguing,
close, and reserved. His reigning passion was to be well
at court, and to this object he sacrificed every circumstance
of his life. Lord Orford says of him that he was " osten-
tatious in his person, houses, and furniture, and wanted in
his expences the taste he never wanted in his conversation.
Pope and Churchill treated him more severely than he de-
served, a fate that may attend a man of the greatest wit,
when his parts are more suited to society than to compo-
sition. The verse remains, the bon-mols and sallies are
forgotten." He was handsome, and of a striking figure,
but in his latter days was probably singular in his dress.
Churchill ridicules his wig, and Hogarth has introduced it
in one of his " orders of periwigs." His patronage of
learned men descended from Young, Thomson, and Glover,
to the meaner political hirelings who frequented the prince's
court. And among his intimate friends, besides Young,
Thomson, and Glover, were Fielding, Bentley, Voltaire,
Lyttelton, lord Chesterfield, lord Peterborough, Dr. Gre-
gory Sharpe, &c. and among his lower associates, Ralph,
Paul Whitehead, and a Dr. Thomson, a physician with-
out practice or manners, served to add to the hilarity
of his table. Most of his biographers have reported that
he was a single man, but he certainly was married, as in
his letters he frequently speaks of Mrs. Dodington, whose
heart was placed in an urn at the top of an obelisk which
he erected at Hammersmith. When she died we kuovr
Io6 D O D I N G T O N.
not, but as she left no family, he is reported to have used
some singular expedients tor procuring au heir, which were
as unsuccessful as immoral and foolish. He bequeathed
his whole property, a few legacies excepted, to the late
Thomas Wyndhajn, esq. of Hammersmith. The mansion
which he built at Eastbury came, as already observed in
the note, to the marquis of Buckingham, and was taken
down a few years ago. Part of the offices were left stand-
ing, and have been converted into a very convenient house
by J. Wedgewood, esq. who purchased the estate of the
marquis of Buckingham. His villa at Hammersmith became
a few years ago the property of the margrave of Anspach.
Lord Melcombe has some literary claims. Two of his
Memorials to the court of Spain may be seen in the Histo-
rical Register for 1716, p. 205 — 207, &c. He was con-
cerned in writing the " Remembrancer," an anti-minis-
terial paper, published in 1744; and was the avowed
Author of " Occasional observations on a double- titled
paper about the clear produceof the Civil List Revenue,
from Midsummer 1727 to Midsummer 1761." A pamphlet
on the " Expedition to Rochefort" has also been ascribed
to him. His poetical efforts, some of which have been
admired, were, " An Epistle to sir Robert Walpole, writ-
ten on his birth-day, Aug. 26," printed in Dodsley's Col-
lection, and afterwards, as we have mentioned, addressed,
mutatis mutandis, to lord Bute; " An Epistle from John
More, apothecary in Abchurch lane, to lord Carteret, upon
the treaty of Worms ;" " Verses in his eating-room at
Hammersmith ;" " Verses to Mrs. Stubbs ;" " Verses writ-
ten a little before his death to Dr. Young ;" some " Love
Verses," and other poetry unpublished, and most of which,
it is said, is too indelicate for publication ; " An Elegy on
the Death of queen Caroline" is printed in Coxe's Life of
Walpole. But he will long be best known by his cele-
brated " Diary," published in 1784 by Henry Penruddock
Wyndham, esq. On a publication so generally read, our
remarks may be spared. The public owe much to the
editor for thus " unveiling the mysterious intrigues of a
court, and for exposing the latent causes of opposition."
The whole proves, that while this publication reflects " some
degree of honour on lord Melcombe's abilities, it show*
his political conduct to have been wholly directed by the
base motives of avarice, vanity, and selfishness." l
1 Diary, as above, the best edition of which is that of 1809, with a copiou$
D O D D R I D G E. 157
DODDRIDGE (Sin JOHN), an eminent English lawyer,
the son of Richard Doddridge, of a Devonshire family,
was born at Barnstaple in 1555. In 1572 he was entered
of Exeter college, Oxford, where he studied four years;
after which he was removed to the Middle Temple, Lon-
don, where he became a great proficient in the law, and
a noted counsellor. In the forty-fifth year of the reign of
queen Elizabeth he was Lent reader of that house ; and on
the 20th of January, 1603-4, he was called to the degree
of serjeant-at-law, at which time he had the honour of
being appointed serjeant to Henry prince of Wales. From
this employment he was raised, in the succeeding year, to
be solicitor-general to the king, and on the 25th of June
1607, he was constituted his majesty's principal serjeant-
at-law, and was knighted on the fifth of July following. In
February 1612-13, he was created M. A. at his chambers
in Serjeants Inn by the vice-chancellor, the two proctors,
and five other members of the university of Oxford. This
peculiar honour was conferred upon him in gratitude for
the great service he had done to the university in several
law-suits depending between the city of Oxford and the
university. On the 22d of April 1013, he was appointed
one of the judges of the court of king's bench, in which,
office he continued till his death. In this station he
appears to have conducted himself with great integrity as
well as ability. However, in April, 162«, he and the
other judges of the court were called upon to assign their
reasons in the house of lords, for having given judgment
against admitting five gentlemen to bail, who had been
imprisoned for refusing the loan which had lately been
demanded by the crown. Sir Nicholas Hyde, lord chief
justice, sir John Doddridge, Mr. Justice Jones, and Mr.
Justice Whitlocke, each of them spoke upon the occasion,
and made the best defence which the nature of the case
would admit. If they were guilty of a mistake, which
cannot now reasonably be doubted, they seem to have
been led into it in the sincerity of their hearts, from the
notions they entertained of regal power, and probably
from their perceiving the drift of parliament in these pro-
ceedings. Sir John Doddridge, in his speech, asserts the,
index. — Faulkner's Hist, of Fulham. — Park's Royal and Noble Authors. — Cum-
berland's Life. — Some account of his uncle, Knight's Life ofColet. — Hawkins'*
Life of Johnson. — Dodsley's, Pcareh's, and NiclioU's Poems. — Bowles's edition
of Pope's \Yoiks,— Louoj^r's Common-place li^ok, vol. 1. — Cose's Life of
15S DODDRIDGE.
purity of his own character in the following terms: " It is
no more fit for a judge to decline to give an account of his
doings than for a Christian of his faith. God knoweth I
have endeavoured always to keep a good conscience; for
a troubled one who can bear? 1 have now sat in this court
fifteen years, and I should know something. Surely, if I
had gone in a mill so long, dust would cleave to my clothes.
I am old, and have one foot in the grave ; therefore I will
look to the better part as near as 1 can. But omnia haberc
in memoria, et in nullo errarc, divinum potius est quain
human um." He died Sept. 13, 1628, in the seventy-third
year of his age, and was buried in the ambulatory before
the door of the library, formerly called Lady Mary's Cha-
pel, in the cathedral church of Exeter. Within that
library is a very sumptuous monument erected to his me-
mory, containing his figure and that of his wife, cut in
alabaster, under a stately arch supported by marble pillars.
This learned judge, by his happy education, accompanied
with excellent natural parts and unremitted industry, be-
came so general a scholar, that it was said of him, that it
was difficult to determine whether he were the better
artist, divine, civil or common lawyer. Among his other
studies, he was a great lover of antiquities, and attained
to such an eminence of knowledge and skill in that depart-
ment of literature, that he was regarded as one of the
ablest members of the famous society of antiquaries, which
may be said to have begun in 1571, but which more par-
ticularly flourished from 1590 to 1614. Rewrote, I. "The
Lawyer's Light; or, due direction for the study of the
Law," London, 1629, 4to. 2. " A complete Parson, or a
description of advowsons and church livings, delivered in
several readings, in an inn of chancery called the New
Inn," printed 1602, 1603, 1630, 4to. 3. " The History
of the ancient and modern estate of the principality of
Wales, duchy of Cornwall, and earldom of Chester," 1630,
4to. 4. " The English Lawyer, a treatise describing a me-
thod for the managing of the Laws of this Land, and ex-
pressing the best qualities requisite in the student, prac-
tiser, judges, &c." London, 1631, 4to. 5. " Opinion
touching the antiquity, power, order, state, manner, per-
sons, and proceedings, of the High Courts of Parliament
in England," London, 1658, 8vo. 6. " A Treatise of
particular Estates," London, 1677, duodecimo, printed
at the end of the fourth edition of William Noy's Works,
D O D D R I D G E. 159
entitled, " The Ground and Maxims of the Law." 7. "A
true representation of forepassed Parliaments to the view
of the present times and posterity." This still remains in
manuscript. Sir John Doddridge also enlarged a book
called "The Magazine of Honour," London, 1642. 7'he
same book was afterwards published under his name by the
title of " The Law of Nobility and Peerage," Lond. 16S7,
1658, Svo. In the Collection of curious Discourses, writ-
ten by eminent antiquaries, are two dissertations by our
judge ; one of which is on the dimensions of the land of
England, and the other on the office and duty of heralds
in this country. Mr. Bridgman, in his " Legal Biblio-
graphy," informs us that many valuable works have been
attributed to sir John Doddridge, which in their title-pages
have borne the names of others. He mentions particularly
Sheppard's " Law of Common Assurances touching Deeds
in general," and " Wentworth's office and dutie of Exe-
cutors;" both which are said to have been written by
Doddridge.1
DODDRIDGE (PHILIP), an eminent dissenting divine,
great-grand-nephew to the preceding, was the son of the
nonconformist rector of Shepperton in Middlesex, and
was born in London, June 26th, 1702. At his birth he
was so weakly that he was regarded as dead ; but by atten-
tion and care he recovered some degree of strength. His
constitution, however, was always feeble, and probably
rendered more so by the assiduity with which he prosecuted
his studies and public services. To his pious parents he
was indebted for early instruction in religion, and for those
salutary impressions which were never erased from his
mind. His classical education commenced in London, but
being left an orphan in his thirteenth year, he was removed
to a private school at St. Alban's, where he had the hap-
piness of commencing an acquaintance with Mr. (afterwards
Dr.) Samuel Clark, the dissenting minister of the place;
and having lost his whole patrimony after his father's death,
the protection of this friend enabled him to pursue the
course of his studies. In 17 IS he left St. Alban's, and
retired to the house of his sister, the wife of Mr. John
Nettleton, a dissenting minister at Ongar, in Essex, and
while deliberating on the course of life which he should
1 Alh. Ox. vol. I. — Hearne's Discourses, vol. If. p. 432, &c. — Print's '
Worthies of Dftvon. — Puller's Worthies. — Biog. Brit, note <>u the Life of Or.
, at tlie liejjin-j'.ng. — Bridgfflau's Le^ai
BODDRIDGE.
pursue, he received offers of encouragement and support
from the duchess of Bedford, if he chose to be educated
in one of the universities for the church of England ; but
could not conscientiously comply with the terms of con-
formity. Others advised him to devote himself to the pro-
fession of the law ; but before he had finally determined,
he received a letter from Mr. Clark, with generous offers
of assistance, if he chose the ministry among the dissenters.
These offers he thankfully accepted ; and after continuing
for some months at St. Alban's in the house of his benefac-
tor, he was placed, in October 1719, under the tuition of
the reverend John Jennings, who kept an academy for the
education of nonconformist ministers at Kibworth in Lei-
cestershire. Here he paid particular attention to classical
literature, and cultivated an acquaintance with the Greek
writers, and also with the best authors of his own country.
In 1722, having obtained an ample testimonial from a
committee of ministers, by whom he was examined, he
became a preacher at Kibworth, which he preferred, be-
cause it was an obscure village, and the congregation was
small, so that he could pursue his studies with little inter-
ruption. During his residence at this place, from June
1723 to October 1725, he is said to have excelled as a
preacher. At first he paid particular attention to his com-
positions, and thus acquired a habit of delivering his senti-
ments usually with judgment, and always with ease and
freedom of language, when he was afterwards, by a multi-
plicity of engagements, reduced to the necessity of extem-
pore speaking. In 1725, he removed to Market-Har-
borough, to enjoy the conversation and advice of Mr,
Some, the pastor of the congregation in that place ; and
after the year 1727, when he was chosen assistant to Mr.
Some, he preached alternately at Kibworth and Market-
Harborough. He received several invitations from con-
gregations much more numerous than these ; but he de-
termined to adhere to the plan, which he had adopted, of
pursuing his schemes of improvement in a more private
residence. When he left the academy, his tutor, Mr. Jen-
nings, not long before his death, which happened in 1723,
advised him to keep in view the improvement of the course
of lectures on which he had attended ; and this advice he
assiduously regarded during his retirement at Kibworth.
Mr. Jennings foresaw, that, in case of his own death, Mr.
Doddridge was the most likely of any of his pupils to com-
D O D D R I D G E. 161
plete the schemes which lie had formed, and to undertake
the conduct of a theological academy. Mr. Doddridge's
qualifications for the office of tutor were generally known
and approved, in consequence of a plan for conducting the
preparatory studies of young persons intended for the mi-
nistry, which he had drawn up at the desire of a friend,
whose death prevented his carrying it into effect. This
plan was shewn to Dr. Watts, who had then no personal
acquaintance with the author ; but he was so much pleased
with it, that he concurred with others in the opinion, that
the person who had drawn it up was best qualified for exe-
cuting it. Accordingly he was unanimously solicited to
undertake the arduous office; and after some hesitation,
and with a very great degree of diffidence, he consented
to undertake it. Availing himself of all the information
and assistance which he could obtain from conversation and
correspondence with his numerous friends, he opened his
academy at Midsummer, in 1729, at Market- Harborongh.
Having continued in this situation for a few months, he was
invited by a congregation at Northampton ; and he removed
thither in December 1729 ; and in March of the following
year, he was ordained according to the mode usually prac-
tised among dissenters. In this place he engaged, in a
very high degree, the love and attachment of his congre-
gation ; and he observes, in his last will, " that he had
spent the most delightful hours of his life in assisting the
devotions of as seuious, as grateful, and as deserving a
people, as perhaps any minister had ever the happiness to
serve."
In 1730, Mr. Doddridge entered into the matrimonial
relation, with a lady who possessed every qualification
that could conduce to his happiness, and who survived him.
many years. At the first removal of the academy to North-
ampton, the number of students was small; but it increased
every year; so that, in 1734, it became necessary to have-
a stated assistant, to whom the care of some of the junior
pupils was committed. The number of students was, one
year with another, thirty-four. The system of education
being liberal, many received instruction in his academy,
who were members of the established church. And in the
course of the twenty years, during which Mr. Doddridg»
presided over it, he acquired high reputation both as a.
preacher, tutor, and author. Of his detached works, con-
sisting of tracts and sermons, it would be unnecessary ta
VOL. XII. M
162 D O D D R I D G E.
give a particular list, as they are now published in a col-
lection of his works. The most popular of them was his
" Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul," which has
gone through numerous editions, and been translated into
the Dutch, German, Danish, and French languages ; and
the most useful is his " Family Expositor," in 6 vols. 4to,
which has lately risen in reputation, and been often re-
printed in 6 vols. 8vo. His " Course of Lectures," pub-
lished after his death by the rev. Samuel Clark, 1763, 4to, is
also a work of great utility, and was republished in 1794,
2 vols. Svo, by Dr. Kippis, with very extensive and valu-
able additions. Dr. Dodd ridge also wrote some hymns,
and though inferior to those of Dr. Watts, he gave at least
one evidence of his poetical taste and powers, in the ex-
cellent lines which he wrote on the motto to the arms of
his family, ll dum vivimus vivamus," which are highly
commended by Dr. Johnson, and represented as containing
one of the finest epigrams in the English language.
" Live, while you live," the epicure would say,
" And seize the pleasures of the present day."
" Live, while you live," the sacred preacher cries,
" And give to God each moment as it flies :"
Lord, in my views let both united be,
I live in pleasure, when I live to thee.
From the course of Dr. Doddridge's life, and the multi-
plicity of his labours, his application must have been in-
cessant, and with little time for exercise and recreation.
His constitution was always feeble, and his friends depre-
cated the injurious effect? of his unintermitting assiduity and
exertion. By degrees, however, his delicate frame was so
impaired, that it could not bear the attack of disease. In
December 1750, he went to St. Alban's to preach the fu-
neral sermon of his friend Dr. Clark, and in the course of
his journey he caught a cold, which brought on a pulmo-
nary complaint, that resisted every remedy. But not-
withstanding the advice and remonstrances of those who
apprehended his death, and wished to prolong his useful-
ness, he would not decline or diminish the employments
in the academy, and with his congregation, in which he*
took great delight. At length he was obliged to submit;
and to withdraw from all public services to the house of
his friend Mr. Orton, at Shrewsbury. Notwithstanding
some relief which his recess from business afforded him,
his disorder gained ground ; and his medical friends ad-
D O D D R I D G E. 163
vised him to make trial of the Bristol waters. The phy-
sicians of this place afforded him little hope of lasting
benefit ; and he received their report of his case with
Christian fortitude and resignation. As the last resort in
his case, he was advised to pass the winter in a warmer
climate ; and at length he was prevailed upon to go to
Lisbon, where he met with every attention which friend-
ship and medical skill could afford him. But his case was
hopeless. Arriving at Lisbon on the 13th of October, the
rainy season came on, and prevented his deriving any be-
nefit from air and exercise, and in a few days he was seized
with a colliquative diarrhoea, which rapidly exhausted his
remaining strength. He preserved, however, to the last
the same calmness, vigour, and joy of mind, which he
had felt and expressed through the whole of his dis-
ease. The only anxiety he seemed to feel was occasioned
by the situation in which Mrs. Doddridge would be left
upon his removal. To his children, his congregation, and
his friends in general, he desired to be remembered in the
most affectionate manner ; nor did he forget a single per-
son, not even his servant, in the effusions of his benevo-
lence. Many devout sentiments and aspirations were
uttered by him on the last day but one preceding that of
his death. At length, his release took place on the 26th
of October, O. S. about 3 o'clock in the morning ; and
though he died in a foreign land, and in a certain sense
among strangers, his decease was embalmed with many
tears, nor was he molested, in his last moments, by the
officious zeal of any of the priests of the church of Rome.
His body was opened, and his lungs were found to be in
a very ulcerated state. His remains were deposited in the
most respectful manner in the burying-ground belonging
to the British factory at Lisbon. His congregation erected
in his meeting-house a handsome monument to his me-
mory, on which is an inscription drawn up by his much
esteemed and ingenious friend, Gilbert West, esq. Dr.
Doddridge left four children, one son and three daughters,
and his widow survived him more than forty years. His fu-
neral sermon was preached by Mr. Orton from I Cor. xv. 54;
and it was extensively circulated under the title of " The
Christian's triumph over death." His character stands high
among the dissenters, no man with equal powers and equal
popularity having appeared among them in the course of
last century, Dr. Watts excepied. Dr. Doddridge was
M 2
164 DODDRIDGE.
an indefatigable student, and his mind was furnished with
.a rich stock of various learning. His acquaintance with
books, ancient and modern, was very extensive ; and if
not a profound scholar, he was sufficiently acquainted with
the learned languages to make a considerable figure as a
critic and commentator. To history, ecclesiastical as well
as civil, he had paid no small degree of attention ; and
\vhile from his disposition he was led to cultivate a taste
for polite literature in general, more than for the abstruser
parts of science, he was far from being a stranger to ma-
thematical and philosophical studies. But the favourite
object of his pursuit, and that in which his chief excel-
lence lay, was divinity, taking that word in its largest
sense. As a preacher, Dr. Doddriclge was much esteemed
and very popular. But his biographers have had some
difficulty in vindicating him from the charge of being what
is called a trimmer, that is, accommodating his discourses
to congregations of different sentiments ; nor do we think
they have succeeded in proving him exempt from the ap-
pearance at least of inconsistency, or obsequious timidity.
We are informed, however, that his piety was ardent, un-
affected, and cheerful, and particularly displayed in ihe
resignation and serenity with which he bore his affliction.
His moral conduct was not only irreproachable, but in
every respect exemplary. To his piety he joined the
warmest benevolence towards his fellow- creatures, which
was manifested in the most active exertions for their wel-
fare within the compass of his abilities or influence. His
private manners were polite, affable, and engaging; which
rendered him the delight of those who had the happii.
of his acquaintance. No man exercised more candour and
moderation towards those who differed from him in reli-
gious opinions. Of these qualities there are abundant
proofs in the extensive correspondence he carried on with
many eminent divines in the establishment, and of other
persuasions.
His reputation was such, and the respect of persons of
all parties and denominations for his various excellent qua-
lities was so great, that in the close of his life, and in the
scene of his last decline, all seemed to vie in testifying
their solicitude for his recovery, and their wishes for his
obtaining every accommodation that would render his mind
and his circumstances easy. During his stay at Bristol,
previously to his voyage to Lisbon, he received very par-
D O D D R I D G E. 165
ticular expressions of regard from a clergyman of the es-
tablished church. When Dr. Doddridge undesignedly
threw out a hint of the principal reason which caused him
to demur about the voyage, and that was the expence of
it, this gentleman was both generous and active in pro-
moting a subscription to defray the charges of his voyage.
Nathaniel Neal, esq. an eminent Solicitor in London, was
also very zealous in the management of this business, which
lie conducted with such success as to be able to inform the
doctor, that instead of selling what our author had in the
* O
funds, he should be able through the benevolence of
friends, to add something to it, after the expence of the
voyage was defrayed. As Mrs. Doddridge forfeited a con-
siderable annuity, to which as a widow she would have
been entitled, by her husband's dying abroad, a subscrip-
tion was opened for her, chiefly in London, and in a great
measure under the direction of Mr. Neal, by means of
which a sum was raised, which was more than equaj to the
annuity that had been forfeited.1
DODOENS, or DODON^US .(REMEERT), a learned
physician and botanist, of a West Friesland family of good
repute, was born at Mechlin, in 1517. He studied me-
dicine at Louvaine, and afterwards visited the celebrated
universities of France and Italy, and to his medical know-
ledge added an acquaintance with the classics and polite
literature. On his return from Italy, his reputation pro-
cured him the honour of being appointee! physician to the
emperors Maximilian II. and Rodolph II. Having been
obliged during the civil wars of his time to quit the im-
perial court, in order to take care of his property at Mech-
lin and Antwerp, he resided awhile at Cologne, from,
whence he was persuaded to return to Antwerp ; but soon
afterwards he became professor of physic in the newly-
founded university of Leyden, with an ample stipend.
This took place in 1582, and he sustained the credit of his
appointment by his lectures and various writings, till death
put a period to his labours in March 1585, in the sixty-
eighth year of his age. It appears by his epitaph at Ley-
den, that he left a son of his own name behind him.
l Life by Kippis, in the Biog. Brit, a most prolix and disproportioned article,
judiciously abridged in the Cyclopaedia. Much information may be derived
from Orion's Life. — Letters to and from Dr. Doddridge, 1790, 8vo. — Orion's
Letters, 2 vols. 12mo.— Palmer's Letters to Dissenting Ministers, 2 vols.
&c,
166 D O D O E N S.
Dodoens is recorded to have excelled in a knowledge
of the history of his own country, and especially in genea-
logical inquiries, as well as in medicine. His chief fame
at present rests on his botanical publications, particularly
his " Pemptades," or 30 books of the history of plants, in
1 vol. folio, published at Antwerp in 1583, and again in
1612 and 1616. This is still a book of general reference
on account of the wooden cuts, which are numerous and
expressive. Hailer reckons it " a good and useful work,
though not of the first rate." The author had previously
published some lesser works in 8vo, as " Frugum Histona,"
printed at Antwerp, in 1552, including the various kinds
of corn and pulse, with their virtues and qualities, often
copied, as Hailer remarks, literally from aneient authors,
who perhaps do not always speak of the same plants. This
work, likewise, is illustrated by wooden cuts. His " Her-
barium Belgicum" first appeared in the German language
in 1553, and again in 1557; which last Ci us ius translated
into French. From the French edition " Henry Lyte,
esquyer" composed his Herbrl, which is pretty nearly a
translation of the whole. It was published in 1578, and
went through several subsequent editions. This work, in
its various languages and editions, is accompanied by
wooden cuts, very inferior, for the most part, to those in
the above-mentioned " Pemptades." Halier records an
epitome of Dodoens by William Kam, printed at Lon-
don, in 1606, 4to, under the title of " Little Dodoen."
This we have never seen.
Dodoens published two 8vo volumes of " Imagines"
or wooden cuts of plants, with a few remarks, which went
through several impressions, but are now seldom used,
being superseded by his " Pemptades." Some of the best
of these cuts were employed in his " Florum et Coronaria-
rum Odoratarumque nonnullarum Herbarum Historia," 8vo,
published at Antwerp, in 1569; an elegant little volume,
resembling the 8vo editions of Clusius ; but all these
figures are reprinted in the " Pemptades." Hailer speaks
with praise of the figures in his work on purging and poi-
sonous herbs, barks and roots, Antwerp, 1574, Svo, and
mentions a little book on the Vine, &c. without cuts, neither
of which has come under our inspection.1
' Moreri.-r-Rees's Cyclopaedia. — Niceron, vol. XXXVIII. — Fieheri Thea-
trucn,— foppen Bibl. fcelg.— Hailer Bibl. BoU
D O D S L E Y. 167
DODSLEY (ROBERT), an English poet and miscella-
neous writer, was born at Mansfield, in Nottinghamshire,
in 1703. His father is said to have kept the tree-school
•at Mansfield, a situation in which it is natural to suppose
he could have bestowed some education on his children,
yet it is not easy to reconcile this with the servile track of
life into which they were obliged to enter. He is described
as a little deformed man, who, after having a large family
by his first wife, married at the age of seventy-five a young
girl of only seventeen years, by whom he had a child. Of
his sons, A Ivory lived many years, and died in the service
of the late sir George Saville ; Isaac was for some time
gardener to Mr. Allen, of Prior-park, and afterwards to
lord Weymouth, at Long-leat. In these two families he
spent fifty-two years of his life ; and has the credit of
being the projector of some of the beautiful plantations at
both those seats. He retired from Long-leat at the age
of seventy-eight, and died about three years after. There
was a third, John, whose name with that of Alvory, and of
the father, is among the subscribers to our poet's first
publication. James, who was twenty-two years younger
than Robert, will come to be mentioned hereafter ; when
he was taken into partnership. How he passed the pre-
ceding part of his time is not known. Of Robert, nothing
is now remembered in his native town, but a traditional
story, that he was put apprentice to a stocking-weaver of
that place, and that, being almost starved, he ran away,
and was hired by a lady as her footman : this lady, it is
added, observing that he employed his leisure hours in
reading, gave him every encouragement; and soon after
he wrote an entertainment, which was shewn to Pope and
others. Part of this story is probable, but too much of his
history is crowded into it. His first service was not that
of a lady, nor was the entertainment (The Toy-shop) his
first production.
Although he was probably not in many stations of the
menial kind, it is certain that he was once footman to
Charles Dartiquenave, (or, as spelt by Swift, Dartineuf,)
esq. paymaster of the works, and the Darty who is noticed
by Pope,
" Each mortal has his pleasure ; none deny,
Scarsdala his bottle, Darty his ham-pye."
His gluttony, which was long proverbial, suggested to
lord Lyttelton to introduce him, in his Dialogues of the
168 D O D S L E Y.
Pead, holding a conversation with Apicius. The story of
the Ham-pye, Dr. Wartoii assures us, was confirmed by
Dodsley, who knew Dartineuf, and, as he candidly owned,
had waited on him at dinner ; or, as he said more explicitly
to Dr. Johnson, " v*as his footman." He served after-
xvards, in the same humble station, in the family of the hon.
Mrs. Lowther, where his conduct procured him respect,
and his abilities, distinction. Several of his smaller poems
were written while in this family, and being shewn to his
mistress and her visitors, he was encouraged to publish
them by a very liberal subscription, including about two
hundred names of considerable note. His volume had the
very appropriate title of " The Muse in Livery ; or, The
Footman's Miscellany," a thin 8vo, published in 1732.
In his preface he alludes very feelingly to the many disad-
vantages of his humble condition ; and in an emblematical
frontispiece is a figure intended to represent himself, the
right foot chained to despair, the right hand chained by
poverty to misery, folly, and ignorance, the left hand
winged, and endeavouring in vaiu to reach happiness, virtue,
and knowledge.
The volume contains the " Epistle to Stephen Duck ;"
" Kitty," a pastoral ; " The Petition ;" " Rome's pardon,"
under the title of " The Devil is a Dunce ;" " Religion,"
a simile ; " The Epithalamium," called here, an Enter-
tainment designed for the Wedding of governor Lowther
and miss Pennington ; and the " Advice," which were
reprinted in his volume of Trifles."
His next attempt was more successful than the publica-
tion or' his poems, and, considering the disadvantages of a
life of servitude, more extraordinary ; he wrote a dramatic
piece, entitled " The Toy-shop," the style of which dis-
covers an improvement which to those who had just read
" The Muse in Livery," must have appeared wonderful.
This the author determined to submit to Pope in manu-
script. He tells us he had a great regard for that poet, be-
fore he had the honour of being known to him, and " it
was a great mortification to him that he used to think him-
self too inconsiderable ever to merit his notice or esteem,,.
However, some time after I had wrote the Toy-shop,
hoping there was something in it which might recommend
me to him in a moral capacity, at least, though not in a
poetical one, I sent it to him, and desired his opinion of
it ; expressing some doubt, that though I designed it for the
D 0 D !S L £ Y. 169
stage, yet, unless its novelty would recommend it, I was
afraid it would not bear a publi^ representation, and there-
fore had not offered it to the actors."
Pope's answer to this application may appear in this
place without impropriety, as it has escaped the collectors
of his letter-;, and exhibits his kindness to unprotected ge-
nius in a very favourable light.
" SIR, Feb. 5, 1732-3.
I was very willing to read your piece, and do freely tell
you, I like it, as far as my particular judgment goes.
Whether it has action enough to please the stage, I
doubt ; but .the morality and satire ought to be relished
by the reader. I will do more than you ask me ; I will
recommend it to Mr. Rich. If he can join it to any
play, with suitable representations, to make it an en-
tertainment, I believe he will give you a benefit night;
and I sincerely wish it may be turned any way to your ad-
vantage, or that I could show you my friendship in any
instance. I am, &c."
Pope accordingly recommended it to Mr. Rich, and
ever after bestowed his " favour and acquaintance" on the
author. The hint of this excellent satire, for it scarcely
deserves the name of drama, was taken from Randolph's
" M use's Looking-glass." It was acted at Covent-garden
theatre in 1735, and met with great success; but was yet
more popular, when printed, being indeed much better
calculated for the closet than the stage. There is an ease
and elegance in the style which raise our opinion of Dods-
fey's natural talents ; and so many circumstances of public
and private absurdities are brought together, as to afford
decisive proof that he had a mind far above his situation,
and that with habits of attentive observation of life and
manners, he cherished the justest moral feelings. Such
was his situation, however, that for some time he was sup-
posed to be only the nominal author of the " Toy-shop ;"
but when he asserted his claim, he became more noticed,
and the theatre more easily accessible to his future dra-
matic attempts. The profits of his volume of poems, and
the Toy-shop, enabled him to set up in business, and
with much judgment he chose that of a bookseller, which
liis friends might promote, and which might afford him
leisure and opportunity to cultivate his talents. At what
time he quitted service is not known, but he commenced
the bookselling trade at a shop in Pall Mall, in 1735, and
170 D O D S L E Y.
by Pope's friendly interest, and his own humble and pru-
dent behaviour, soon drew into his little premises such a
society of men of genius, taste, and rank, as have seldom
met. Many of these he afterwards had the honour to
unite together in more than one scheme of literary part-
nership.
In the mean time, the success of his first dramatic piece
encouraged him to attempt another better adapted to stage
rules. This was his farce of " The King and the Miller of
Mansfield," the plot of which is founded on a traditional
story in the reign of Henry II. It was performed in
1736-7, and with applause scarcely inferior to that of the
" Toy-shop." In 1737-8, he produced " Sir John Cockle
at Court," intended as a sequel to the King and the Miller,
but it had the usual fate of sequels, to suffer by compari-
son. His next dramatic performance was " The Blind
Beggar of Bethnal-green," a ballad farce, acted in 1741,
but with little success. The songs, however, are not un-
favourable specimens of lyric simplicity.
Almost from the commencement of trade, Dodsley be-
came a speculator in various literary undertakings, either
original or compiled. So rapid was his success, that be-
fore he had been three years in business, he became a
purchaser of copyrights ; and it is among the most striking
of those occurrences which diversify the lives of men of
literary eminence, that, in 1738, the truly illustrious Dr.
Samuel Johnson was glad to sell his first original publica-
tion to humble Robert Dodsley, for the small sum of ten
guineas. We find by Mr. Boswell's very interesting ac-
count of this transaction, that Dodsley was the first to dis-
cover the merits of Johnson's " London," and was desirous
to purchase an article of which as a tradesman he had not
miscalculated the value. But before this time Dodsley's
shop must have been in considerable reputation, as in
April 1737 he published Pope's " Second Epistle of the
Second Book of Horace," and in the following month
Pope assigned over to him the sole property of his " Let-
ters," and afterwards that of vols. V. and VI. of his Works,
and some of his detached pieces. Not long after, Young and
Akenside published their works at his shop, and as early as
March 1738-9, he became a partner with some of his
brethren in the copyright of established authors*.
* About this time he had the mis- house of lords by publishing Paul
fartuae to incur the displeasure of the Whitehead's satire entitled " MSmiei a."
DODSLEY. 171
The first of his literary schemes was a periodical journal,
which appears to have escaped the researches of his bio-
graphers, entitled " The Public Register, or Weekly
Magazine," begun Jan. 3, 1741, each number of which
consisted of sixteen 4to pages, handsomely printed, and
was sold for three-pence. Although Dodsley appears to
have lived on friendly terms with Cave, the printer, who
referred Johnson to him as a lit publisher of the " Lon-
don," yet this Register was undoubtedly one of the many
attempts made at that time to rival me uncommon and
much envied success of the Gentleman's Magazine, and
like them was soon obliged to yield to the superior popu-
larity of that valuable miscellany. Dodsley and Cave
abused one another a little, as rival projectors, but were
probably reconciled when the cause was removed. The
contents of Dodsley's " Public Register" were original
letters and essays in prose and verse ; records of literature;
the substance of the parliamentary debates, with news fo-
reign and domestic, and advertisements relating to books.
The original essays were contributed by his mends, and
many of them probably by himself. It proceeded as far
as the twenty-fourth number, when the editor thought
proper to stop. He urges in his farewell address, " the
additional expense he was at in stamping it, and the un-
generous usage he met with from one ot the proprietors of
u certain monthly pamphlet, who prevailed with most of the
common newspapers not to advertise it." In 1745, he
wrote a little poetical piece called " Rex et Pontifcx,"
which he meant as an attempt to introduce a new species
of ^pantomime upon the stage. It was not, however, re-
ceived by any of the theatres, and probably was con-
sidered only as a political effusion for a temporary purpose.
In 1746, he projected another periodical work, entitled
" The Museum, or the Literary and Historical Register,"
published every fortnight, in an 8vo size. Of this con-
cern he had only a fourth share, the rest being the pro-
perty of Mess. Longman, Shewell, Hitch, and Rivington.
It extended to three volumes, and contains a greater va-
Bt-n Victor was partly the means of with so much effect, that Dodsley was
pavjug him from the worst consequences discharged on paying his fees, which
of this affair, by requesting the earl came " to seventy odd pounds; a to-
of Essex (one of those libelled in the lerable sum," Victor adds, " tor one
poem) to present an humble petition week's scurvy lodging in the Butcher-
Dodsley, whicb his lordship did row." Victor's Letters, vol. I.
172 D O D S L E Y.
riety of original essays of real merit than any similar un-
dertaking within our memory, nor will this be doubted,
when it is added that among the contributors were Spence,
Horace Walpole, the two Wartons, Akenside, Lowth,
Smart, Gilbert Cooper, William Whitehead, Merrick, and
Campbell. This last wrote those political papers which he
afterwards collected, enlarged, and published under the
title of " The Present State of Europe."
In 1748 our author published a work of yet greater po-
pularity and acknowledged value in the instruction of youth,
feis " Preceptor," to which some of the parties just men-
tioned contributed. Dr. Johnson furnished the Preface,
and " The Vision of Theodore the Hermit." In the be»
ginning of the following year, Dodsley purchased John-
son's " Vanity of Human Wishes," for the small sum of
fifteen guineas, but Johnson reserved the right of printing
one edition. It is a better proof of Dodsley's enterprising
Spirit that he was the first who suggested the scheme of
the English Dictionary, upon which Dr. Johnson was at
this time employed ; and is supposed to have procured
some hints from Pope, among whose friends a scheme of
this kind had been long entertained. Pope, however, did
not live to see the excellent Prospectus which Johnson
published in 1747. In 1748, Dodsley collected together
in one volume his dramatic pieces, under the modest title
of " Trifles." On the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, he wrote
the " Triumph of Peace," a masque, which was set to
music by Dr. Arne, and performed at Drury-lane in
1748-9. In 1750 he published a small volume, unlike
any of his former attempts, entitled " The CEconomy of
Human Life, translated from an Indian manuscript, writ-
ten by an ancient Bramin ; to which is prefixed, an ac-
count of the manner in which the said manuscript was
discovered. In a letter from an English Gentleman, now
residing in China, to the earl of*****." Whether from
modesty, fear, or merely a trick of trade, Dodsley affected
to be only the publisher of this work, and persisted in his dis-
guise for some time. Conjecture gave it to the earl of
Chesterfield, and not quite so absurdly as Mrs. Teresa
Constantia Phillips complimented that nobleman on being
author of the " Whole Duty of Man." Chesterfield had
a friendship for Dodsley, and would not contradict a report
which rendered the sale of the " OEconomy" both rapid.
D O D S L E Y. 173
and extensive. The critics, however, in the Monthly
Keview, and Gentleman's Magazine, were not to be de-
ceived.
It would be unnecessary to say much on the merit of a
piece which is so well known. During its early popularity,
it occasioned many imitations, the principal of which were,
"The Second part of the QEconomy of Human Life;"
" The CEconomy of Female Life ;" " The (Economy of
the Sexes ;" and " The GEconomy of a Winter's Day," an
humourous burlesque. Dodsley's " CEconomy," however,
outlived these temporary efforts, and continued to be
praised and read as the production of lord Chesterfield.
The real author, although he might secretly appropriate
this praise to himself, was perhaps not very well pleased to
find that he seldom was suspected to have deserved it.
His next production appears to have occupied bis thoughts
and leisure hours for a considerable time. This was a
poem, intended to be comprized in three books, treating
of agriculture, commerce, and arts. Of these, by way of
experiment, he published the first, under the general titld
of " Public Virtue," in 1754; but it did not meet with
such encouragement as to induce him to complete his de-
sign. It is written in blank verse, to which his ear was
not very well attuned ; but with many imperfections, this
poem has likewise many beauties. He appears to have
contemplated rural scenery with the eye of a poet. In the
didactic part, he fails as others have failed before him, who
wished to convey mechanical instruction with solemn pomp,
and would invoke the heroic muse to tell what an unlettered
farmer knows better. To console himself for the cool re-
ception of this work, he told Dr. Johnson that " Public
Virtue was not a subject to interest the age."
About this time, he established, in conjunction with
Moore, a periodical paper, entitled " The World," a name
which Dodsley is allowed to have suggested after the other
partners had perplexed themselves in vain for a proper one.
Lord Lyttelton, although no contributor himself, used his
influence with his friends for that purpose, and Dodsley
procured papers from many of his friends and customers.
One paper only, No. 32, is acknowledged to come from
his own pen. By undertaking to pay Moore a stipulated
sum for each paper, whether contributed by that writer,
or sent by volunteers, J)odsley secured to himself the
copyright, and was amply repaid not only by its sale in.
171 D O D S L E Y.
single numbers, but by the many editions printed in vo-
lumes. When it was concluded in 1756, he obtained per-
mission of the principal writers to insert their names, which
gave it an additional interest with the public. A few chose,
at that time-, to remain concealed, who have since been
discovered, and some are yet unknown. Chesterfield and
Horace Walpole were known at the time of pu ihcation.
In 1758, Dodsiey wrote "Melpomene, or the Regions
of Terror and Pity," an ode, but concealed his being the
author, and employed Mrs. Cooper as his publisher. The
consequence was that this ode, in which it is universally
acknowledged that there are many sublime passages, was
attributed to some promising young man, whom years and
cultivation would lead to a high rank among poets. Mary
Cooper, who was also the publisher of the World, lived
in Paternoster- row, and appears to have been frequently
employed in this capacity by Dodsiey and others, when
they did not choose that their names should appear to the
first edition of any work.
In the same yen-, Dodsiey produced his tragedy of
" Cleone," at Covent-garden theatre. This is said to have
been rejected by Garrick with some degree of contempt,
principally because there was not a character in it adapted
to the display of his talents ; and when it was performed
for the first time at the rival theatre, he endeavoured to
diminish its attraction by appearing the same night in a
new character at Drury-lane. The efforts of jealousy are
sometimes so ridiculous, as to make it difficult to be be-
lieved that they are seriously intended. But notwith-
standing this malicious opposition, Cleone was played with
great success for numv nights, although the company at
Covent- garden, with the exception of Mrs. Bellamy, were
in no reputation as tragedians. How powerfully the author
has contrived to excite the passions of terror and pity, was
lately seen, when this tragedy was revived by Mrs. Siddons.
Its effect was so painful, and indignation at the villainy of
Glanville and Ragozin approached so near to abhorrence,
that the play could not be endured. There are, indeed,
in this piece, many highly-wrought scenes, and the mad-
ness of Cleone deserves to rank ^mong the most pathetic
attempts to convey an idea of the ruins of an amiable and
innocent mind. For Garrick's opinion we can have little
respect, and perhaps he was not sincere in Diving it. The
prologue to Cleone was written by MehnoUi, and the epi-
D O D S L E Y. 175
logue by Shenstone. Dodsley omitted about thirty lines
of the latter, and substituted twelve or fourteen of his own,
but restored the epilogue as originally written, in the
fourth edition, at which it arrived in less than a year.
Such was the avidity of the public, occasioned probably in
a great measure by the opposition given to the perform-
ance of the play, that two thousand copies were sold on
the first day of publication. Pope, when very young, had
attempted a tragedy on the same subject, which he after-
wards burnt, as he informed Dodsley, when the latter sent
him his Cleone, in its first state, requesting his advice.
Pope encouraged him to bring it out, but wished he would
extend the plan to the accustomed number of five acts.
Dodsley acted with suriicient caution in keeping his piece
rather more than " ni:ie years," and then submitted it to
lord Chesterfield and other friends, who encouraged him to
offer it to the sta^e, and supported it when produced.
Dr. Johnson was likewise among those who praised its
pathetic effect, and declared that " if Otway had written
it, no other of his pieces would have been remembered."
Dodsley, to whom this was told, said very justly, that "it
was too much."
This was an important year (176S) to our author in an-
other respect. He now published the first volume of the
*' Annual Register," projected in concert with the illus-
trious Edmund Burke, who is supposed to have contributed
very liberally to its success. This work was in all its de-
partments so ably conducted, that although he printed a
large impression, he and his successor were frequently
obliged to reprint the early volumes. Its value as an use-
ful and convenient record of public affairs was so univer-
sally felt, that every inquirer into the history of his country
must wish it had been begun sooner. Dodsley, however,
did not live to enjoy its highest state of popularity ; but
some years after his death it became irregular in i,ts times
of publication, and the general disappointment which such
neglect occasioned, gave rise, in 17 HO, to another work of
the same kind, under the name of the New Annual Regis-
ter. This for many years was a powerful rival, until the
•unhappy sera of the French revolution, when the principles
adopted in the New Register gave disgust to those who
had been accustomed to the Old, and the mind, if not the
hand of Burke appearing again in the latter, it resumed
and still maintains its former reputation, under the manage-
176 DODSLEY.
merit of Messrs. Rivington, who succeeded the late James
Dodsley in the property.
In 1760, our author published his " Select Fables of Esop
and other Fabulists," in three books, which added very
considerably to his reputation, although he was more in-
debted than has been generally supposed to his learned
customers, many of whom seem to have taken a pleasure
in promoting all his schemes. The Essay on Fable, pre-
fixed to this collection, is ascribed to Dodsley by the author
of his life in the Biographia. Dodsley probably drew the
outline of the essay, but Shenstone produced it in the shape
we now find it.
When, after selling two thousand copies of this excel-
lent collection, within a few months, Dodsiey was pre-
paring a new edition, Shenstone informs us that Mr. Spence
offered to write the life afresh ; and Spence, Burke, Lowth,
and Melmoth, advised him to discard Italics. — Such parti-
culars may appear so uninteresting as to require an apo-
logy, but they add something to the history of books, which,
is a study of importance as well as of pleasure, and they
show the very high respect in which our author was held.
Here we have Shenstone, Spence, Burke, Lowth, and Mel-
moth clubbing their opinions to promote his interest, by
improving the merit of a work, which, however unjustly,
many persons of their established character would have
thought beneath their notice*.
On the death of Shenstone, in the beginning of the
year 1763, Dodsley endeavoured to repay the debt of
gratitude, by publishing a very beautiful edition of the
works of that poet, to which he prefixed a short account
of his life and writings, a character written with much
affection, a description of the Leasowes, £c. He had now
retired from the active part of his business, having realized
a considerable fortune, and was succeeded by his brother
James, whom he had previously admitted into partnership,
* Among other of Dodsley's publi- in 6 vols. Svo, the last edition of which
cations, may be enumerated his " Fu- was edited by Mr. Isaac Reeu in 17S'2,
gitive Pieces," in two volumes, writ- with biographical notes ; and his col-
ten by Speuce, lord Whitworth, Burke, lection of" Oltl Plays," a second edi-
Clubbe, Hay, Cooper, Hill, and others ; tion of which was published in 17SO by
•' London ami its Environs," 6 vols. the same editor. During- the publica-
8vo, in which he was assisted by Ho- tion of his Poems in separate volumes
race Walpole, who procured the lists he solicited and obtained original
of paintings j "England Illustrated," pieces from most of bis literary friends.
2 vols. 4to. His collection of " Poems," See Hull's Select Letters, />«wi/A.
D O D S L E Y. . 177
and who continued the business until hi's death in 1797,
but without his brother's spirit or intelligence.
During the latter years of our author's life, he was much
afflicted with the gout, and at length fell a martyr to it,
while upon a visit to his learned and useful friend the rev.
Joseph Spence at Durham. This event happened Sep-
tember 25, 1764, in the sixty-first year of his age. He
was interred in the abbey church-yard of that city^ with a
homely tribute to his memory on his tomb-stone.
In 1772, a second volume of his works was published,
under the title of " Miscellanies," viz. Cleone, Melpo-
mene, Agriculture, and the CEconomy of Human Life.
Two of his prose pieces, yet unnoticed, were inserted in
the later editions of his first volume ; the " Chronicle of
the Kings of England," in imitation of the language of
Scripture, and an ironical Sermon, in which the right of
mankind to do what they will is asserted. Neither of these
has contributed much to his reputation.
After the incidental notices taken of his different writings
in this sketch of his life, little remains to be added as to
their general character. As a poet, if poets are classed by
rigorous examination, he will not be able to maintain a
very elevated rank. His " Agriculture" was probably in-
tended as the concentration of his powers, but the subject
had not been for many years of town-life very familiar to
him, and had he been more conversant in rural ceconomy,
he could not give dignity to terms and precepts which are
neither intelligible nor just when translated from the
homely language of the farm and the cottage. Commerce
and the Arts, had he pursued his plan, were more capable
of poetical illustration, but it may be doubted whether they
were not as much above his powers, as the other is beneath
the flights of the heroic muse. The " Art of Preaching'*
shows that he had not studied Pope's versification in vain.
It is not, however, so strictly an imitation of Horace's Art
of Poetry, which probably he could not read, as of Pope's
manner of modernizing satire. It teaches no art, but that
which is despicable, the art of casting unmerited obloquy
on the clergy.
Upon the whole, the general merit of his productions,
and the connexions he formed with many of the most emi-
nent literary characters of his time, have given a consider-
able popularity to the name of Dodsley ; and his personal
character was excellent. Although flattered for his early
VOL. XII. N
178 D O V S L E Y.
productions, and in a situation where flattery is most dan-
gerous, he did not yield to the suggestions of vanity, nor
considered his patrons as bound to raise him to independ-
ence, or as deserving to be insulted, if they refused to
arrogant indolence what they willingly granted to honest
industry. With the fair profits of his first pieces, he en-
tered into business, and while he sought only such encou-
ragement as his assiduity might merit, he endeavoured to
cultivate his mind by useful, if not profound erudition.
His whole life, indeed, affords an important lesson. With-
out exemption from some of the more harmless artifices of
trade, he preserved the strictest integrity in all his deal-
ings, both with his brethren, and with such authors as con-
fided to him the publication of their works ; and he became
a very considerable partner in those large undertakings
which have done so much credit to the booksellers of
London.
In his more private character, Dodsley was a pleasing
and intelligent companion. Few men had lived on more
easy terms with authors of high rank, as well as genius ;
and his conversation abounded in that species of informa-
tion which, unfortunately for biographers, is generally lost
with those by whom it has been communicated. By his
letters, some of which we have seen, he appears to have
written with ease and familiar pleasantry, and the general
style of his writings affords no reason to remember that he
was deprived of the advantages of educatios. So much
may application, even with limited powers, effect, while
those who trust to inspiration only, too frequently are con-
tent to excite wonder, and dispense with industry, mis-,
taking the bounty-money of fame for its regular pay. l
DODSON (MICHAEL), an English barrister, was the
son of the Rev. John Dodson, M. A. a dissenting minister
of Marlborough, in Wiltshire, and of Elizabeth, one of
the daughters of Mr. Foster, an attorney-at-law of the
same place. He was born at Marlborough on the 20th or
21st Sept. 1732, and educated partly under the care of his
father, and partly at the grammar-school of that town ; and
under the direction of his maternal uncle, sir Michael
Foster, he was brought up to the profession of the law.
After being admitted of the Middle Temple, London, Au-
gust 31, 1754, he practised many years with considerable
«
t Johnson and Chalmers's English Poets, 1810. — Biog. Brit.
D O D S O N. 179
reputation, as a special pleader. His natural modesty and
cliffiJence discouraged him from attending the courts, and
therefore he did not proceed to be called to the bar till
July 4, 1783. This measure contributed, as was intended,
more to the diminution than to the increase of professional
business. He was appointed one of the commissioners of
bankrupts in 1770, during the chancellorship of lord Cam-
den, and was continued in that situation till the time of
his death. On December 31, 1778, Mr. Dodson married
miss Elizabeth Hawkes, his cousin-german, and eldest
daughter of Mr. Hawkes, of Marlborough. He enjoyed a
life of uninterrupted good health, and indeed little altera-
tion was observeable in his strength or general habits till
nearly the last year of his life. It was not till the month
of October 1799, that he began more sensibly to feel the
effect of disease; and, after a confinement to his room of
about a fortnight, he died of a dropsy in his chest, at his
house in Boswell-court, Carey-street, London, on the 13th
of November of that year ; and was buried in Bunhill-
fields the 21st of the same month. Mr. Dodson's legal
knowledge and discrimination were deservedly estimated
by those to whom he was known, and who had occasion to
confer with him upon questions of law. He was deliberate
in forming his opinion, and diffident in delivering it, but
always clear in the principles and reasons on which it was
founded. His general acquaintance with the laws, and
veneration for the constitution of his country, evinced his
extensive acquaintance with the principles of jurispru-
dence, and his regard for the permanence of the liberties
of Britain. In 1762, Mr. Justice Foster published his
book, entitled, " A Report of some proceedings on the
commission for the trial of the Rebels in the year 1746, in
the county of Surrey ; and of other crown cases ; to which
are added, Discourses upon a few branches of the Crown
Law." This work will be to him, said Mr. Dodson, " mo-
numeutum aere perennius." The impression being large,
and a pirated edition being made in Ireland, a new edition,
was not soon wanted in England ; but in 1776 Mr. Dodson
published a second edition with some improvements, and
with remarks in his preface on some objections made by
Mr. Barrington in his " Observations on the more ancient
Statutes." In 1792 he published a third edition, with
an appendix, containing three new cases, which the au-
thor had intended to insert in the first edition, and had
180 D O D S O N.
caused to be transcribed for that purpose. In 1795 Mr.
Dobson drew up a life of his truly learned and venerable
uncle sir Michael Faster, which was to have formed a part
of the sixth volume of the new edition of the Biographia
Britannica. It has since been printed separately in 1811,
Svo. But the public are in possession of more ample
documents of Mr. Dodson's deep research and critical judg-
ment in biblical literature, than in legal disquisitions. He
had very attentively and dispassionately examined th«
evidences of revelation, and was firmly convinced of the
truth of its pretensions. He was zealous for the true and
rational interpretation of its scriptures, because he was
strongly persuaded of the great influence such interpreta-
tion would have on its reception in the world, and on the
consequent happiness of mankind. But having a turn for
biblical criticism, and having embraced the principles of
the Unitarians, he published many papers in a work en-
titled " Commentaries and Essays," written by the mem-
bers of a small " Society for promoting the knowledge of
the Scriptures." Mr. Dodson was a very early member of
this society, not only communicating some papers of his
own, but conducting through the press some of the contri-
butions of others. In 1790 he laid before the public, as
the result of many years' study, " New translation of Isaiah,
with notes supplementary to those of Dr. Lowth, late
bishop of London, and containing remarks on many parts
of his Translation and Notes, by a Layman." In this he
has taken more freedoms than can be justified by the prin-
ciples of sound criticism ; which drew forth an able answer
from the pen of Dr. Sturges, in " Short remarks on a new
Translation of Isaiah," Svo. To this Mr. Dodson replied,
with urbanity and candour, in " A Letter to the Rev. Dr.
Sturges, &c." Svo, 179 1.1
DODSWORTH (ROGER), an eminent antiquary, the
son of Matthew Dodsworth, registrar of York cathedral,
and chancellor to archbishop Matthews, was born July
24, 1585, at Newton Grange, in the parish of St. Oswald,
in Rydale, Yorkshire. He died in August 1654; and was
buried at Rufrord, Lancashire. He was a man " of won-
derful industry, but less judgment ; always collecting and
transcribing, but never published any thing." Such is
» Biographical Memoir privately circulated by Dr. Disney. — Preface to tbe
frvo edition of the Life of sir Michael Foster.
DODSWORTH, 181
the report of him by Wood ; who in the first part of it,
Mr. Gough observes, drew his own character. " One can-
not approach the borders of this county," adds this topo-
grapher, in his account of Yorkshire, " without paying
tribute to the memory of that indefatigable collector of its
antiquities, Roger Dodsworth, who undertook and exe-
cuted a work, which, to the antiquaries of the present
age, would have been the stone of Tydides." One hun-
dred and twenty-two volumes of his own writing, besides
original MSS. which he had obtained from several hands,
making all together 162 volumes folio, now lodged in
the Bodleian library, are lasting memorials what this county
owes to him, as the two volumes of the Monasticon
(which, though published under his and Dugdale's names
conjointly, were both collected and written totally by him)
will immortalize that extensive industry which has laid the
whole kingdom under obligation. The patronage of ge-
Beral Fairfax (whose regard to our antiquities, which the
rage of his party was so bitter against, should cover his
faults from the eyes of antiquaries) preserved this treasure,
and bequeathed it to the library where it is now lodged.
Fairfax preserved also the fine windows of York cathedral ;
and when St. Mary's tower, in which were lodged innu-
merable records, both public and private, relating to the
northern parts, was blown up during the siege of York,
he gave money to the soldiers who could save any scattered
papers, many of which are now at Oxford ; though Dods-
worth had transcribed and abridged the greatest part be-
fore. Thomas Tomson, at the hazard of his life, saved
out of the rubbish such as were legible ; which, after pass-
ing through several hands, became the property of Dr.
John Burton, of York, being 1868, in thirty bundles.
Wallis says they are in the cathedral library. Fairfax
allowed Dodsworth a yearly salary to preserve the inscrip-
tions in churches.
Fairfax died in 1671 ; his nephew, Henry Fairfax, dean
of Norwich, gave Roger Doclsworth's 162 volumes of col-
lections to the university of Oxford ; but the MSS. were
not brought thither till 1673, and then in wet weather,
when Wood with much difficulty obtained leave of the
vice-chancellor to have them brought into the muniment-
room in the school-tower, and was a month drying them
on the leads. Many transcripts from them are in various
collections, particularly the British museum, where are
183 DODSWORTH.
also many of Dodsworth's letters. Hearne, in a transport
of antiquarian enthusiasm, " blesses God that he was
pleased, out of his infinite goodness and mercy, to raise
v»p so pious and diligent a person, that should, by his
blessing, so effectually discover and preserve such a noble
treasure of antiquities as is contained in these volumes :
most of them written with his own hand, and the genealo-
gical tables, and the notes on them, done with that exqui-
site care and judgment, that I cannot but think otherwise
of this eminent person than the author of the ' Athenae
Oxonienses.' For it plainly appears to me, that his
judgment and sagacity were equal to his diligence; and I
see no reason to doubt, but that if he had lived to write
the Antiquities of Yorkshire (as he once designed), it would
have appeared in a very pleasing and entertaining method,
and in a proper and elegant style, and set out with all other
becoming advantages." 1
DODWELL (HENRY), a very learned writer, was born
in the parish of St. Warburgh in Dublin, towards the latter
end of October 1641, and baptized November 4th. His
father, who was in the army, had an estate at Connaught,
but it being seized by the Irish rebels, he came, with his
wife and child, to England in 1648, to obtain some assist-
ance among their relations. After some stay in London,
they went to York, and placed their son in the free-school
of that city, where he continued five years, and laid the
foundation of his extensive learning. His father, after
having settled him with his mother at York, went to Ire-
land, to look after his estate, but died of the plague at
Waterford : and his mother, going thither for the same
purpose, fell into a consumption, of which she died, in
her brother sir Henry Slingsby's house. Being thus de-
prived of his parents, Mr. Doduell was reduced to such
streights that he had not money enough to buy pen, ink,
and paper ; and suffered very much for want of his board
being regularly paid*. Thus he continued till 1654,
when his uncle, Mr. Henry Dodvvell, rector of Newbourn
* In this more liberal age it will iise of charcoal, instead of pen and
Scarcely be credited that this youth ink, which he had not money to pur-
was forced to use such pape< as yeung chase; and then, when h^ came to
gentlewomen had covered their work school, to borrow pen and ink of his
with, and thrown away as no longer fit school-fellows to tit his exercises for
for their use, he having no other to his master's sight.
write his exercises on ; and to make
i Cough's Topography, vol. 1. — Archaeologia, vol. I.
D O D W E L L.
and Hemley in Suffolk, sent for him, discharged his debts,
and assisted him in his studies. With him he remained
about a year, and then went to Dublin, where he was at
school for a year longer. In 1656 he was admitted into
Trinity-college in that city, of which he was successively
chosen scholar and fellow. But in 1666 he quitted his fel-
lowship, in order to avoid going into holy orders, for by
the statutes of that college, the fellows are obliged to take
orders when they are masters of arts of three years stand-
ing. The learned bishop Jer. Taylor offered to use his in-
terest to procure a dispensation of the statute, but Mr,
Dodwell refused to accept of it, lest it should be construed
into a precedent injurious afterwards to the college. The
reasons given for his declining the ministerial function
were, 1. The great weight of that office, and the severe
account which the ministers of Christ have to give to their
Lord and Master. 2. His natural bashfulness, and humble
opinion, and diffidence of himself; though he was, un-
questionably, very well qualified in point of learning.
3. That he thought he could do more service to religion,
and the church, by his writings, whilst he continued a lay-
man, than if he took orders; for then the usual objections
made against clergymen's writings on those subjects, viz.
" That they plead their own cause, and are biassed by
self-interest," would be entirely removed.
Mr. Dodwell came the same year to England, and re-
sjded at Oxford for the sake of the public library. Thence
he returned to his native country, and in 1672 published,
at Dublin, in 8vo, a posthumous treatise of his late learned
tutor John Steam, M. D. to which he put a preface of his
own. He entitled this book, " De Obstinatione : Opus
posthumum Pietatem Chrisdano-Stoicam scholastico more
suadens :" and his own preface, " prolegomena Apologe-
tica, de usu Dogmatum Philosophicorum," &c. in which
he apologizes for his tutor ; who, by quoting so often and
setting a high value upon the writings and maxims of
the heathen philosophers, might seem to depreciate the
Holy Scriptures. Mr. Dodwell therefore premises first,
that the author's design in that work is only to recommend
moral duties, and enforce the practice of them by the au-
thority of the ancient philosophers ; and that he does not
meddle with the great mysteries of Christianity, which are
discoverable only by divine revelation. His second work
was, " Two letters of advice. 1. For the Susception of
184 D O D W E L L.
Holy Orders. 2. For Studies Theological, especially such
as are rational." To the second edition of which, in
1681, was added, " A Discourse concerning the Phoeni-
cian History of Sanchoniathon," in which he considers
Philo-Byblius as the author of that history. In 1673, he
wrote a preface, without his name, to " An introduction
to a Devout Life," by Francis de Sales, the last bishop
and prince of Geneva ; which was published at Dublin, in
English, this same year, in 12mo. He came over again
to England in 1674, and settled in London ; where he be-
came acquainted with several learned men ; particularly,
in 1675, with Dr. William Lloyd, afterwards successively
bishop of St. Asaph, Litchfield and Coventry, and Wor-
cester *. With that eminent divine he contracted so great
a friendship and intimacy, that he attended him to Holland,
xvhen he was appointed chaplain to the princess of Orange.
He was also with him at Salisbury, when he kept his resi-
dence there as canon of that church ; and spent afterwards
a good deal of time with him at St. Asaph. In 1675 he pub-
lished " Some Considerations of present Concernment ;
how far the Romanists may be trusted by princes of ano-
ther persuasion," in 8vo, levelled against the persons con-
cerned in the Irish remonstrance, which occasioned a kind
of schism among the Irish Roman catholics. The year
following he published " Two short Discourses against the
Romanists. 1. An Account of the fundamental Principle
of Popery, and of the insufficiency of the proofs which
they have for it. 2. An Answer to six Queries proposed
to a gentlewoman of the Church of England, by an emis-
sary of the Church of Rome," 12mo, but reprinted in
1688, 4to, with " A new preface relating to the bishop of
Meaux, and other modern complainers of misrepresenta-
tion." In 1679, he published, in 4to, <{ Separation of
Churches from episcopal government, as practised by the
present non-conformists, proved schismatical, from such
principles as are least controverted, and do withal most
popularly explain the sinfulness and mischief of schism."
This, being animadverted upon by R. Baxter, was vindi-
cated, in 1681, by Mr. Dodwell, in " A Reply to Mr.
Baxter's pretended confutation of a book, entitled. Sepa-
* Mr. Dodwell, when in London, concerning matters of literature. Many
used daily to frequent a coffee-bouse of his countryim-n resorted to the same
near Temple-bar, where he was willing coffee-house, ;>u i regularly saw him
to answer all who asked his opiuiou home every night.
D O D W E L L. 185
fration of Churches," &c. To which were added, " Three
Letters to Mr. Baxter, written in 1673, concerning the
Possibility of Discipline under a Diocesan Government,'*
&c. 8vo. In 1682 came out his " Dissertations on St. Cy-
prian," composed at the reqviest of Dr. Fell, bishop of Ox-
ford, when he was about to publish his edition of that
father. They were printed in the same size, but reprinted
at Oxford in 1684, Svo, under the title " Dissertationes
Cyprianse." The eleventh dissertation, in which he en-
deavours to lessen the number of the early Christian mar-
tyrs, brought upon him the censure of bishop Burnet, and
not altogether unjustly. The year following, he published
" A Discovirse concerning the One Altar, and the One
Priesthood, insisted on by the ancients in the disputes
against Schism *," Lond. Svo. In 1684, a dissertation of
his on a passage of Lactantius, was inserted in the new
edition of that author at Oxford, by Thomas Spark, in
Svo. His treatise " Of the Priesthood of Laicks," ap-
peared in 1686, in Svo. The title was " De jure Laico-
rum," &c. It was written in answer to a book published
by William Baxter, the antiquary, and entitled " Anti-
Dodwellism, being two curious tracts formerly written by
H. Grotius, concerning a solution of the question, whether
the eucharist may be administered in the absence of, or
want of pastors." About the same time he was preparing
for the press the posthumous works of the learned Dr. John
Pearson, bishop of Chester, Lond. 1688, 4to. He pub-
lished also, ." Dissertations on Irenseus," 1689, Svo. On
the 2d of April, 1688, he was elected, by the university
of Oxford, Camden's professor of history, without any ap-
* Before Mr. JDodwell committed this Dr. Tillotson, after the revolution, had
book to the press, he brought it to Dr. consented to be archbishop of Canter-
Tillotson, and desired his judgment bury, before he was consecrated to (he
concerning it. The doctor freely ex- see, Mr. Dodwell wrote him a letter to
pressed his dislike of it; and told the dissuade him from being the aggressor
author, that though his work was writ- in the new-designed schism, and in
ten with such great accuracy and close erecting another altar against that of
dependence of one proposition upon the deprived fathers and brethren,
another, as that it seemed to be little " If," says he, " their places be not
less thnn demonstration, " so that vacant, the new consecration must, by
(added Tillotson) I can hardly tell you, the nature of the spiritual monarchy,
where it is, that you break the chain ; be null, invalid, and schismatical.1'
yet I am sure, that it is broken some- He affirmed, likewise, that such as
where: for such and such particulars were concerned in this practice, cut
are so palpably false, that I wonder themselves off from the communion of
you do not perceive the absurdity of which they were before members ; as
them ; they are so gross, and grate so did all others who joined with them.
much upon the inward sense." When
186 D O D W E L L.
plication of his own, and when he was at a great distance
from Oxford ; and the 21st of May was incorporated mas-
ter of arts in that university. But this beneficial and cre-
ditable employment of professor he did not enjoy long ;
being deprived of it in November, 1691, for refusing to
take the oaths of allegiance to king William and queen
Mary. When their majesties had suspended those bishops
who would not acknowledge their authority, Mr. Dodwell
published " A cautionary discourse of Schism, with a
particular regard to the case of the bishops, who are sus-
pended for refusing to take the new oath," London, 8vo.
And when those bishops were actually deprived, and others
put in their sees, he joined the former, looking upon the
new bishops, and their adherents, as schismatics. He
wrote likewise " A Vindication of the deprived Bishops :"
and " A Defence of the same," 1692, 4to, being an an-
swer to Dr. Hody's " Unreasonableness of Separation," &c.
After having lost his professorship, he continued for some
time in Oxford, and then retired to Cookham, a village
near Maidenhead, about an equal distance between Ox-
ford and London ; and therefore convenient to maintain a
correspondence in each place, and to consult friends and
books, as he should have occasion. While he lived there,
he became acquainted with Mr. Francis Cherry of Shottes-
brooke, a person of great learning and virtue, for the sake
of whose conversation he removed to Shottesbrooke, where
he chiefly spent the remainder of his days. In 1692, he
published his Camdenian lectures read at Oxford ; and, in
1694, " An Invitation to Gentlemen to acquaint themselves
with ancient History ;" being a preface to Degory Whear's
" Method of reading history," translated into English by
Mr. Bohun. About this time having lost one or more of
the Dodwells, his kinsmen, whom he designed for his
heirs, he married on the 24th of June, 1694, in the 52d
year ot bis age, a person, in whose father's house at Cook-
ham he had boarded several times, and by her had ten
children *. In 1696 he drew up the annals of Thucydides
* The reason of his marrying late in Ware's works, was as follows: be had
life wa<- the offfr.ce he t ok ai some of a sood estate in Ireland, the profits of
his relatuni*, who di<1 not pay him a wlvch he gave to his next kinsman, re-
certain pittance which h~ had agieetl sevv.n^ uu'y ;\ Miiall part for his owa
with them should be transmitted to snb-istenve. But upon his marriage
him jeat'v out of ihe f"itn -T In- po>- he took t;ie whole to himself ; his kins-
sessed. Tht- tact, as Mated by Mr. nian having raised a fair fortune out of
Harris, iu his edition of sir James the estate, while be enjoyed it*
D O D W E L L. 137
and Xenophon, to accompany the editions of those two
authors by Dr. John Hudson and Mr. Edward Wells. Hav-
ing likewise compiled the annals of Velleius Paterculus,
and of Quintilian, and Statius, he published them altoge-
ther in 1698, in one volume, 8vo. About the same time
he wrote an account of tUe lesser Geographers, published
by Dr. Hudson; and "A Treatise concerning the law-
fulness of instrumental music in holy offices :" occasioned by
an organ being set up at Tiverton in 1696 : with some other
things on chronology, inserted in " Grabe's Spicilegium."
In 1701, he published his account of the Greek and Roman
cycles, which was the most elaborate of all his pieces, and
seems to have been the work of the greatest part of his
life. The same year was published a letter of his, inserted
in Richardson's " Canon of the New Testament," &c.
concerning Mr. Toland's disingenuous treatment of him.
The year following appeared " A Discourse [of his] con-
cerning the obligation to marry within the true commu-
nion, following from their style of being called a Holy
Seed ;" and " An Apology for the philosophical writings
of Cicero," against the objections of Mr. Petit; prefixed
to Tally's five books De Finibus, or, of Moral Ends, trans-
lated into English by Samuel Parker, gent, as also the
annals of Thucydides and Xenophon, Oxoa. 4to. In 1703
he published " A Letter concerning the Immortality of the
Soul, against Mr. Henry Layton's Hypothesis," 4to ; and,
" A Letter to Dr. Tillotson about Schism," 8vo, written
in 1691. .The year following came out, his " Chronology
of DionX'Sius Halicarnasseus," in the Oxford edition of
that historian by Dr. Hudson, folio ; his " Two Disserta-
tions on the age of Phalaris and Pythagoras," occasioned
by the dispute between Bentley and Boyle ; and his " Ad-
monition to Foreigners, concerning the late Schism in
England." This, which was written in Latin, regarded
the deprivation of the nonjuring bishops. When the bill
for preventing occasional conformity was depending in
parliament, he wrote a treatise, entitled, " Occasional
Communion fundamentally destructive of the discipline of
the primitive catholic Church, and contrary to the doc-
trine of the latest Scriptures concerning Church Commu-
nion ;" London, 1705, 8vo. About the same time, ob-
serving that the deprived bishops were reduced to a small
number, he wrote, " A Case in View considered : in a
Discourse, ^proving that (in case our present in valid ly de-
prived fathers shall leave all their sees vacant, either by
188 D O D W E L L.
death or resignation) we shall not then be obliged to keep
up our separation from those bishops, who are as yet in-
volved in the guilt of the present unhappy schism," Lond.
1705, 8vo. Some time after, he published " A farther
prospect of the Case in View, in answer to some new ob-
jections not then considered," Lond. 1707, 8vo. Hitherto
Mr. Dodwell had acted in such a manner as had procured
him the applause of all, excepting such as disliked the non-
jurors ; but, about this time, he published some opinions
that drew upon him almost universal censure. For, in
order to exalt the powers and dignity of the priesthood, in
that one communion, which he imagined to be the pecu-
Hum of God, and to which he had joined himself, he en-
deavoured to prove, with his usual perplexity of learning,
that the doctrine of the soul's natural mortality was the
true and original doctrine ; and that immortality was only
at baptism conferred upon the soul, by the gift of God,
through the hands of one set of regularly-ordained clergy.
In support of this opinion, he wrote " An Epistolary Dis-
course, proving, from the scriptures and the first fathers,
that the soul is a principle naturally mortal ; but immor-
talized actually by the pleasure of God, to punishment, or
to reward, by its union with the divine baptismal spirit.
Wherein is proved, that none have the power of giving
this divine immortalizing spirit, since the apostles, but
only the bishops," Lond. 1706, 8vo. At the end of the
preface to the reader is a- dissertation, to prove " that
Sacerdotal Absolution is necessary for the Remission of
Sins, even of those who are truly penitent." This dis-
course being attacked by several persons, particularly Chis-
hull, Clarke, Norris, and Mills afterwards bishop of Wa-
terford, our author endeavoured to vindicate himself in the
three following pieces : 1. " A Preliminary Defence of the
Epistolary Discourse, concerning the distinction between
Soul and Spirit : in two parts. I. Against the charge of
favouring Impiety. II. Against the charge of favouring
Heresy," Lond. 1707, 8vo. 2. " The Scripture account
of the Eternal Rewards or Punishments of all that hear of
the Gospel, without an immortality necessarily resulting
from the nature of the souls themselves that are con-
cerned in those rewards or punishments. Shewing particu-
larlv, I- How much of this account was discovered by the
best philosophers. II. How far the accounts of those phi-
losophers were corrected, and improved, by the Hellenis-
tical Jews, assisted by the Revelations of the Old Testa-
D O D W E L L. 139
ment. III. How far the discoveries fore-mentioned were
improved by the revelations of the Gospel. Wherein the
testimonies also of S. Irenaens and Tertullian are occa-
sionally considered," Lond. 1708, 8vo. And, 3. "An
Explication of a famous passage in the Dialogue of S.
Justin Martyr with Tryphon, concerning the immortality
of human souls. With an Appendix, consisting of a let-
ter to the rev. Mr. John Norris, of Bemerton ; and an ex-
postulation relating to the late insults of Mr. Clarke and
Mr. Chishull," Lond. 1708, 8vo. Upon the death of Dr.
William Lloyd, the deprived bishop of Norwich, on the
first of January 1710-11, Mr. Dodwell, with some other
friends, wrote to Dr. Thomas Kenn, of Bath and Wells,
the only surviving deprived bishop, to know, whether he
challenged their subjection ? He returned for answer,
that he did not : and signified his desire that the breach
might be closed by their joining with the bishops possessed
of their sees ; giving his reasons for it. Accordingly, Mr.
Dodwell, and several of his friends, joined in communion
with them. But others refusing this, Mr. Dodwell was
exceedingly concerned, and wrote, " The case in view
now in fact. Proving, that the continuance of a separate
communion, without substitutes in any of the late invalidly-
deprived sees, since the death of William late lord bishop
of Norwich, is schismatical. With an Appendix, proving,
that our late invalidly-deprived fathers had no right to sub-
stitute successors, who might legitimate the separation,
after that the schism had been concluded by the decease
of the last survivor of those same fathers," Lond. 1711,
8vo. Our author wrote some few other things, besides
what have been already mentioned *. At length, after a
•Namely, 1. " Dissertatioad Frag- don, 1711, 8ro. 3. " Julii Vitalis Epi-
mentum quoddam T. Livii," extant taphium, cum notis Henrici Dodwelli,
among archbishop Laud's MSS, in the et commentario G. Musgrave. Acce-
Bodleian library. Mr. Dodwell like- dit Dodwelli Epistola ad cl. Goezhim
wise settled the times of the actions re- de Piiteolana & BajanS. Inscription!-
lated by that author, by the years ab bus." Iscas Dunmoniorum & Londini,
Urbe Cond. according to Ihe Varronian 171 1, 8vo. This epitaph of Julius Vi-
account, set at the top of each page, talis, on which Mr. Dodwell wrote notes,
At the request of a gentleman in was found at Bath, and published by
the Isle of Man,, who had desired his Mr. Hearne at the end of his edi ion of
thoughts on this point, " Whether the King Alfred's Lite by sir John Svelrnan,
church of England had just reasons, 8vo. The letter lo Mr. Goetz, profes-
when she reformed, to lay aside the SOT at Leipsic, was written by Mr.
«se of incense, which was practised in Dodwell in ITOO, beinj an explanation
all churches before our quarrel with of an inscription on MemoniusCalistus,
the church of Rome?" he wrote, in found at Puteoli. and on another found
1709, 2. " A Discourse concerning the at Bairn. 4. " De jei.ate & patriA
V*e of Incense in Dirine Offices," Lon- Dionysii Periejetas. Priuted hi the
190 D O D W E L L.
very studious and ascetic course of life, he died at Shot-
tesbrooke the 7th of June 1711, in the seventieth year of
his age ; and was buried in the chancel of the church there,
where a monument is erected to him. Mr. Dodwell, as to
his person, was of a small but well-proportioned stature,
of a sanguine and fair complexion, of a grave and serious,
but a comely, pleasant countenance: of a piercing eye, of
a solid judgment, and ready apprehension. He naturally
enjoyed so strong and vigorous a constitution of body, that
he knew not, by his own experience, what the head-ach
was. His industry was prodigious, as appears by the many
books he published. He was extremely frugal of his time,
and indefatigable in his studies, by which means he be-
came acquainted with almost all authors, both sacred and
profane, ancient and modern. He studied, not for his own
benefit only, but also for that of others : for he was gene-
rously communicative, and always ready to assist others in
worthy undertakings ; very zealous to promote learning,
and though learned almost beyond any one o.f his age, yet
(what is very uncommon) of singular humility and modesty.
Accordingly he was courted and admired by the most emi-
nent men abroad, who bestow the highest encomiums upon
him, on all occasions. It must, however, be owned, that,
as he conversed more with books than men, his style is,
for that reason, obscure and intricate, and full of digres-
Oxford edition of that author in 1710, wherein he showed, that airtiyj-arro does
8vo. 5. " De Parma Equestri Wood- not signify his being strangled with
wardiana Disserta'.io," &c. ; on the grief, as Grotius and Dr. Hammond
ancient Roman shield, formerly in Dr. understood it, but that he hanged him-
Woodward's possession, whereon was self. It was never printed : nor the
represented the sacking of Rome by following, which was left unfinished,
the Gauls. This dissertation, which 8. " A Dissertation concerning the Time
Mr. Dodwell was prevented by death of the Greek translation of the Old
from finishing, was published by Hearne Testament by the LXX." 9. "ADis-
in 8vo, Oxon 17 13, but brought Hearne sertstioa concerning the Laws of Na-
into a dispute with the university, ow- hire and Nations ;" in which the author
i:ig to some supposed reflections on proposed to shew, that these lows w< re
the jurors, and he was ordered to sup- not the result of reason, but laws de-
press the work. After, however, he livered by God to Adam, or Noah, and
had cancelled the preliminary niafer, were transmitted to us by tradition.
the publicatiou was suffered to go on. 10. He designed to publish " The
Mr. Dodwell supposes this Roman Epistle of St. Barnabas," with a lite-
shield to have been made about the ral translation, and notes ; having ever
time of Nero. 6. Four letters, which since the year 1691, wrote " Prolego-
passed between the right reverend the mena" to it ; but it was left, imperfect.
lord bishop of Sarum, and Mr. Henry 11. Lastly, He began to s. tile the-
Dodwell, were printed from the origi- time and order in which Tertullion
nals, Lond. 1713, 12mo. v^ro'e each of his books, on which he
Mr. Dodwell wrote likewise, 7. A made but very little progress.
Tract concerning the Death of
D O D W E L L. 191.
sions : for he often complained to his friends, that he was
not able to comprise his thoughts in few words. With re-
gard to his moral character, he was a person of great
sobriety and temperance ; of exemplary charity, notwith-
standing the narrowness of his fortune ; of strict piety ; a
great lover of the clergy, and a zealous member of the
church of England. His failings may be discovered even
from the titles of his works. His judgment bore very little
proportion to his learning, and for want of this very neces-
sary ingredient in controversy, he often unintentionally
injured the cause he meant to support. But while his
theological paradoxes are forgot, his critical works will still
support his reputation. Speaking of his " Annales Quin-
tilianse," Gibbon says, Dodwell's learning was immense ;
" in this part of history especially (that of the upper em-
pire) the most minute fact or passage could not escape
him ; and his skill in employing them is equal to his learn-
ing." Gibbon adds the general opinion that " the worst
of this author is his method and style ; the one perplexed
beyond imagination, the other negligent to a degree of
barbarism."
Of Mr. Dodwell's ten children, six survived him ; four
daughters, and two sons, Henry and William. HENIIY was
brought up to the law, and became sceptical in his princi-
ples. In 1742, he published a pamphlet, entitled " Chris-
tianity not founded upon Argument," which, under the
cover of zeal for religion, was an attack upon revelation.
It was written with ingenuity and subtlety ; excited great
attention for a time ; and was answered effectually by Dr.
Doddridge, Leland, and other able and learned men. This
Mr. Henry Dodwell took a very active part in the society
for the encouragement of arts, manufactures, and com-
merce, during the early period of that society ; and is said
to have been a polite, humane, and benevolent man. Mr,
Dodwell's son William will require a separate article.1
DODWELL (WILLIAM), was born at Shottesbrooke, in
Berkshire, June 17, 1709, and was educated at Trinity
college, Oxford, where he took the degree of master of
arts, on the 8th of June, 1732. In the course of his life,
he obtained several considerable preferments. He was
rector of Shottesbrooke, and vicar of Bucklesbury and of
1 Life by Brokesby, 1715, 8vo.— Biog. Brit. — Gibbon's Life, vol. II. p. 55. —
Birch's Life ofTiliotson. — Mosh?irn's History. — Wood's Fasti, vol. II. — Letters
vriUen l»y Eminent Person*. 1813, 3 vols. 8vo.
192 D O D W ELL.
White- Waltham. Dr. Sherlock, when bishop of Salisbury,
gave him a prebendal stall in that cathedral, and he after-
wards became a canon of the same church. Bishop Thomas
promoted him to the archdeaconry of Berks. The prin-
cipal works by which he was distinguished, were, "A Free
Answer to Dr. Middleton's Free Enquiry," published in
1749; and "A full and final Reply to Mr. Toll's " De-
fence of Dr. Middleton," which appeared in 1751. Both
these works were written with temper, as well as with learn-
ing. Our author was judged to have performed such good
service to the cause of religion by his answer to Dr. Mid-
dleton, that the university of Oxford conferred upon him
the degree of doctor in divinity by diploma, in full convo-
cation on Feb. 23, 1749-50. He published also, "Two
Sermons on the eternity of future punishment, in answer
to Whiston ; with a Preface," Oxford, 1743; "Visitation
Sermon on the desireableness of the Christian Faith, pub-
lished at the request of bishop Sherlock," Oxford, 1741 ;
" Two Sermons on a rational faith," Oxford, 1745 ; " Ser-
mon on the practical influence of the doctrine of the Holy
Trinity," Oxford, 1715; " Dissertation on Jepthah's Vow,
occasioned by Romaine's Sermon on that subject," London,
1745 ; "Practical Discourses (14) on moral subjects, vol.1."
London, 1748. A Dedication to his patron Arthur Van-
«ittart, esq. of Shottesbrooke, precedes a masterly preface
of considerable length, stating the great duties of morality,
£c. ; " Vol. II. London, 1749, containing 14 more;" and
preceded by a Dedication to bishop Sherlock, whose " un-
solicited testimony of favour" to him laid him " under
personal obligations. Such a testimony from such a patron,
and the obliging manner of conferring it, added much to the
value of the favour itself." " Assize Sermon on Human
Laws," Oxford, 1750 ; " Sermon on St. Paul's Wish," Ox-
ford, 1752; "Two Sermons on Superstition," Oxford, 1754;
" Assize Sermon on the equal and impartial discharge of
Justice," Oxford, 1756 ; " Letter to the Author of Con-
siderations on the Act to prevent Clandestine Marriages;
with a Postscript occasioned by Stebbing's Enquiry into
the annulling Causes," &c. London, 1755. This Letter
*' by a Country Clergyman" was known, at the time, as
Dr. DodwelPs; "Two Sermons on the Doctrine of the
Divine Visitation by Earthquakes," Oxford, 1756; " As-
size Sermon on the False Witness, Oxford, 1758; "Ser-
mon at the Meeting of the Charity Schools," London, 1758 ;
D O D W E L L. 193
" Two Sermons on a particular Providence," Oxford,
1760 ; " Sermon before the Sons of the Clergy," London,
1760; "Charge to the Clergy of the archdeaconry of
Berks," London, 1764-; "Sermon at the Consecration of
Bishop Moss, in 1766," London, 1767; "The Sick Man's
Companion ; or the Clergyman's Assistant in visiting the
Sick; with a Dissertation on Prayer," London, 1767;
" The Prayer, on laying the foundation stone of the Salis-
bury infirmary, subjoined to dean Greene's Infirmary Ser-
mon," Salisbury, 1767; " Infirmary Sermon," Salisbury,
1768. In 1302, the eldest son of our author permitted
the " Three Charges on the Athanasian Creed," in conse-
quence of the request of some Oxford friends, to see the
light. They were accordingly printed at the university
press; and contributed, as the author expresses himself in
his second page, " to obviate all real mistakes, to silence
all wilful misrepresentations, to remove prejudices, to con-
firm the faith of others, and to vindicate our own sincerity
in the profession of it :" and it was considered by him as
" not unseasonable or unuseful to review and justify that
which is called the Athanasian Creed ; not, we well know,
as composed by him whose name it bears, but as explain-
ing the doctrine which he so strenuously maintained."
Dr. Dodwell died Oct. 21, 1785, with the character,
which his publications amply justify, of an orthodox, dili-
gent, and learned divine. *
DOES (JACOB VANDER), first of this family of artists,
was born at Amsterdam in 1623, and after having been a
disciple of N. Moyart, travelled to Rome, and formed him-
self on the manner of Bamboccio. He excelled in land-
scapes and animals. His temper was melancholy and aus-
tere, so that he incurred the displeasure of all his acquaint-
ance, and was deserted by them. He died at Amsterdam
iu 1673. His tone is dark, but his composition has dig-
nity, his figures are well designed, and touched with spirit,
and his animals, especially the sheep, are painted with equal
truth and delicacy. The etchings of this master from
compositions of his own, ornamented with animals, are ex-
ecuteJ in a slight, free, masterly style.2
DOES (JAt OB VANDER), the son of the former, was
born at Amsterdam in 165k He was successively a dis-
1 Biog. Brit.— Nichols's Bowyer. — Gent. Mag. see Index.
- Argenville, vol.111, who, however, confounds the first two artists of this
family. — Descarnps, vol. Hi.— Pilkiugton and Strutt.
VOL. XII. O
194 DOE S.
ciple of Karel du Jarclin, Netscher, and Gerard Laires^fc
He was a very ready designer, and possessed a lively ima-
gination and good invention ; but the impetuosity of his
temper was such, that he destroyed his compositions, if
his pictures did not please him in the progress of their
execution ; nor could the interposition and remonstrances
of his best friends avail for their preservation. His death,
in 1693, at the age of 39 years, prevented his acquiring
that fortune and high reputation, which the fame of his
abilities and performances gave him reason to expect. l
DOES (SiMON VANDER), brother to the preceding, was
born at Amsterdam in 16.53. Having learned the art of
painting from his father, and pursuing the same style and
manner in the choice of the same subjects, he travelled to
Friesland and to England, and afterwards settled at the
Hague. Notwithstanding the difficulties in which the ex-
travagance of a dissolute wife involved him, and the de-
pression of circumstances and spirits which they occa-
sioned, he persevered in the exercise of his profession. On
some occasions he painted portraits, resembling in their
touch and colouring those of the old Netscher ; but though
his works were much admired and sought after, he fell into
great poverty, and died in 1717 at the age of 64 years.
The works of this artist are peculiarly pleasing; and though
his figures want elegance, and his colouring inclines to the
yellow and light brown, yet his cattle are so correct, his
touch so free and easy, his distances and the forms of his
trees so agreeable, his colouring so transparent and deli-
cate, and his pastoral subjects distinguished by so much
nature and simplicity of rural life, that his works have been
very highly esteemed, and have been sold for very large
prices. This artist has etched some few small landscapes,
with animal;!, from his own compositions.2
DOGGET (THOMAS), an author and an actor, was born
in Castle-street, Dublin, in the latter end of the seven-
teenth century, and made his first theatrical attempt on the-
stage of that metropolis ; but not meeting with encourage-
ment suitable to his merit, he came over to England, and
entered himself in a travelling company, but from thence
very soon was removed to London, and established in
Drury-lane and Lincoln's-inn-fields theatres, where he
1 Argenville, vol. Ill,— Dcscamps, vol. III. — Pilkiogton and Strutt.
« Ibid.
D O G G E T. 195
was universally liked in every character he performed, but
in none more than those of Fondlewife in the " Old Ba-
chelor," and Ben in " Love for Love," which Mr. Con-
greve, with whom he was a very great favourite, wrote in
some measure with a view to his manner of acting.
In a few years after he removed to Drury-lane theatre,
where he became joint manager with Wilks and Gibber, in
which situation he continued, till, on a disgust he took, in
the year 1712, at Mr. Booth's being forced on him as a
sharer in the management, he threw up his part in the
property of the theatre, though it was looked on to have
been worth 1000/. per annum. He had, however, by his
frugality, saved a competent fortune to render him easy
for the remainder of his life, with which he retired from
the hurry of business in the very meridian of his reputa-
tion. As an actor he had great merit, and his contempo-
rary, Gibber, informs us that he was the most an original,
and the strictest observer of nature, of any actor of his
time. His manner, though borrowed from none, frequently
served for a model to many ; and he possessed that pecu-
liar art which so very few performers are masters of, viz.
the arriving at the perfectly ridiculous, without stepping
into the least impropriety to attain it. And so extremely
careful and skilful was he in the dressing of his characters
to the greatest exactness of propriety, that the least article
of what he wore seemed in some measure to speak and
mark the different humour he presented.
Dogget died at Eltham in Kent, Sept. 22, 1721, and
was interred there. In his political principles he was, in
the words of sir Richard Steele, a " whig up to the head
and ears ;" and so strictly was he attached to the interests
of the house of Hanover, that he never let slip any occa-
sion that presented itself of demonstrating his sentiments
in that respect. The year after George I. came to the
throne, this actor gave a waterman's coat and silver badge,
to be rowed for by six watermen, on the 1st day of August,
being the anniversary of that king's accession to the throne ;
and at his death bequeathed a certain sum of money, the
interest of which was to be appropriated annually, forever,
to the purchase of a like coat and badge, to be rowed for
in honour of the day. This ceremony still continues to be
performed every year on the 1st of August, the claimants,
according to the rules of the match, setting out on a signal
given at that time of the tide when the current is strongest
O 2
196 D O G G E T.
against them, and rowing from the Old Swan near London-
bridge to the White Swan at Chelsea.
As a writer, Dogget has left behind him only one comedy,
which has not been performed in its original state for many
years, entitled " The Country Wake, 1696," 4to. It has
been altered, however, into a ballad farce, which fre-
quently makes its appearance under the title of " Flora ;
or, Hob in the Well." l
DOGI1ERTY (THOMAS), an eminent special pleader
and law writer, was born in Ireland, and educated at a
country school. He came to England early in life, with
an able capacity and habits of industry, but without any
direct prospect of employment, or choice of profession.
He became, however, clerk to the late Mr. Bower, a very
profound lawyer, where, with assiduous study, he acquired
a knowledge of special pleading, and the law connected
with that abstruse science; and such was his diligence, that
in a comparatively short time, he accumulated a collection
of precedents and notes that appeared to his employer an
effort of great labour and ingenuity. After having been
many years with Mr. Bower, the latter advised him to com-
mence special pleader, and in this branch of the profession
he soon acquired great reputation ; his drafts, which were
generally the work of his own hand, being admired as
models of accuracy. They were formed according to the
neat and concise system of Mr. Bower, and his great friend
and patron sir Joseph Yates, many of whose books, notes,
and precedents, as well as those of sir Thomas Davenport,
Mr. Dogherty possessed. This intense application, how-
ever, greatly impaired his health, which was visibly on the
decline for many months before his decease. This event
took place at his chambers in Clifford's-inn, Sept. 29, 1805,
and deprived the profession of a man of great private
worth, modest and unassuming manners, independent mind,
and strict honour and probity. Mr. Dogherty was the
author and editor of some valuable works on criminal law.
He published a new edition of the "Crown Circuit Com-
panion;" and an original composition, in 1786, "The
Crown Circuit Assistant," which is a most useful supple-
ment to the former. In 1 800 he edited a new edition of
Hale's " Historia Placitorum Coronse," in 2 vols. 8vo,
with an abridgment of the statutes relating to felonies,
1 Biog. Dram.— Cibber's Apology.
D O G H E R T Y. 197
continued to that date, and with notes and references.
His common-place and office-books, still in manuscript,
are said to be highly valuable. l
DOLBEN (JOHN), archbishop of York, was a prelate
of considerable worth, abilities, and eminence, in the reigns
of Charles II. and James II. a man who, to the courage and
fidelity which had first deserved a military reward, united
all those talents and qualifications which could justify his
subsequent advancement to the honours of the church.
He was born at Stanwick, in Northamptonshire, March 20,
1625, being the fifth in descent from William Dolben of
Denbighshire ; and descended from an ancient family of
that name, settled at Segrayd, in the same county. Dr.
William Dolben, the father of the archbishop, was at that
time rector of Stanwick, and of Benefield, to both of which
he was instituted in one day ;• and prebendary of Lincoln,
through the interest of the lord keeper Williams, whose
niece Elizabeth Williams he had married. Few marriages
have been more fortunate in their issue : besides the sub-
ject of the present article, their second son William proved
highly eminent in the profession to which he was educated.
He became recorder of London, received the honour of
knighthood, and in 1678 was appointed one of the judges
in the court of common pleas. In 1683 he was removed
from that situation, very highly to his honour, being the
only judge that gave his opinion against the legality of dis-
solving corporations by quo warranto. His rank was justly
restored by king William; who, in 1689, appointed him a
judge of the king's bench ; and in that station he remained
till his death, which happened in 1693, the 65th year of
his age. He was buried in the Temple church, and left a
character of high estimation for strict integrity, and the
most penetrating discernment. Dr. William Dolben, how-
ever, neither lived to see the eminence of his sons, nor to
complete his own career of advancement ; for he died in,
1631, when his eldest son John was only six years old,
being himself nominated, at the time, for the succession to
a vacant bishopric*, but his death produced an affecting tes-
timony to his merit, of no small value in the moral estimate
* The compiler of the " Baronetage" not then vacant : it was probably Ban-
names Gloucester as the see to which gor, to which his relation, David DoU
he was to have succeeded ; but this ben, was then appointed,
must be an error, as Gloucester was
» Gent. Mag. vol. LXXV
198 DOLBEN.
of honours. This was conferred by his parishioners of
&tan\vick, by whom he was so sincerely beloved, that ou
his falling ill at London of the sickness which proved fatal
to him, they plowed and sowed his glebe lands at their
own expence, that his widow might have the benefit of the
crop ; which she accordingly received after his decease :
an anecdote more felt and valued by his family than any
thing that usually adorns the page of the biographer.
John Dolben, afterwards archbishop, was educated at
Westminster-school, where he was admitted a king's
scholar in 1636 ; and in 1640 was elected to Christ church,
Oxford, where he was admitted, in the same year, a stu-
dent on queen Elizabeth's foundation. It has been thought
worthy of remark, as a strong instance of hereditary attach-
ment to those seminaries, that he was the second in order,
of six succeeding generations, which have passed through
the same steps of education, and it has been remarked
that since his time, Westminster-school has rarely been
without a Dolben.
When the civil wars broke out, Mr. Dolben took arms
for the royal cause in the garrison at Oxford, and served as
an ensign in the unfortunate battle of Marston-Moor, in
1644, where he received a dangerous wound in the shoulder
from a musquet-ball ; but in the defence of York, soon
after, he received a severer wound of the same kind in the
thigh ; which broke the bone, and confined him twelve
months to his bed. In the course of his military service
he was advanced to the rank of captain, and, according to
Wood, of major. In 1646, when there appeared no longer
any hope of serving the king's cause by arms, when Ox-
ford and his other garrisons were surrendered, and himself
in the hands of his enemies, Mr. Dolben retired again to
his college, and renewed his studies ; a sense of duty had
made him an active soldier; inclination and natural abili-
ties rendered him at all times a successful student. In
1647 he took the degree of master of arts, and remained
at college till ejected by the parliamentarian visitors in
1648. In the interval between this period and the year
1656, when he entered into holy orders, we have no ac-
count of him ; but it is most probable that his time was,
in general, studiously employed, and especially from the
moment when he took up that design. From 1657, when
he married Catharine daughter of Ralph, elder brother of
archbishop Sheldon, to the time of the king's restoration,
DOLBEN. 199
he lived in Oxford, at the bouse of his father-in-law, in
St. Aldate's parish ; and throughout that interval, in con-
junction with Dr. Fell and Dr. Allestree, constantly per-
formed divine service and administered the sacraments,
according to the Liturgy of the church of England, to the
great comfort of the royalists then resident in Oxford, par-
ticularly the students ejected in 1648, who formed a re-
gular and pretty numerous congregation*. The house
appropriated to this sacred purpose was then the residence
of Dr. Thomas Willis, the celebrated physician, and is yet
.standing, opposite to Merton college. The attachment of
Mr. Dolben to what he considered as the right cause had
before been active and courageous ; it was now firm and
unwearied, with equal merit, and with better success.
When the regal government was restored, for the sake
of which Mr. Dolben had so often hazarded his life, his
zeal for the cause and sufferings in it were not forgotten
by the king f. In that very year, 1660, he took his de-
gree of D. D. on being appointed a canon of Christ Church,
Oxford. In the same year he was also presented to the
rectory of Newington-cum-Britwell, in Oxfordshire, in the
gift of the archbishop of Canterbury. His preferments
and honours now succeeded each other rapidly ; the time
of trial was past, and the time of reward had arrived. In
1661 he became a prebendary of St. Paul's (the prebend of
Cadington major), and was one of those who signed the
revised Liturgy, which passed the house of convocation
December iiotb, in that year. In 1662 he was appointed
archdeacon of London, and presented to the vicarage of
St. Giles's, Cripplegate; but resigned both a short time
after, with his other parochial preferment, on being in-
stalled dean of Westminster. He was chosen prolocutor
of the lower house of convocation in 1664, and soon after
became clerk of the closet to- the king. In 1666 he was
consecrated bishop of Rochester, and allowed to hold the
deanery of Westminster in commendam. In 1675 he was
* In the mansion of the Dolben fa- Ham Dolben to the society of Christ
mily in Northamptonshire is a fine church. Oxford, an<1 is placed in their
painting- by sir Peter I.ely, grounded hall. Chalmers's History of Oxford,
upon the abo?e circumstance. In this p. 312.
piece Dr. Fell, Dr. Dolben, and Dr. f When the regicides were con-
Allestree, are represented in thrir <;a- deinned, Dr. Dolbeu and Dr. Barwiek
uouical habits, as joining in the liturgy were appointed to visit some of them in
of the church. A copy of this picture pn-s->n. .See an account of this iu Bar-
lias lately been presented by sir WiU wick's Life, p<liy;>, &c.
200 D O L B E N.
appointed lord high almoner ; an office, says Wood, which
he discharged with such justice and integrity as was for
the great benefit of the poor. It would betray great ig-
norance of the ways of courts to suppose, that in all these
steps he was not in part indebted to the interference and
interest of archbishop Sheldon ; yet where merit is conspi-
cuous, the effect of patronage is greatly facilitated, which
appears to have been the case in the instance now be-
fore us.
Translation to the see of York was the final gradation of
his honours, and enjoyed only for a short time, as between
the last advancement and his death something less than
three years intervened. He was translated to York in
August 1683*, and then became, by an unusual transition,
the ecclesiastical governor of that place which he had
formerly assisted in defending by military force. His acti-
vity was not yet exhausted, though exerted in a different
way ; he diligently contributed to the good administration
of the service in his cathedral, and in 1685 made a new
regulation of archbishop Grindal's order of preachers, and
appointed a weekly celebration of the holy sacrament : and
was, in all respects, as his epitaph expresses it, an exam-
ple both to the flock and to the pastors under him. The
death of archbishop Dolben was occasioned, not by natural
decay, but by criminal neglect. At an inn on the North
road he was suffered by the proprietors to sleep in a room
where the infection of the small-pox remained ; he there
caught the disorder, which being of a virulent kind, and
attended with lethargy, put an end to his life at Bishop-
thorp, on the 1 1th of April 1686, in the sixty-second year
of his age, after a confinement to his bed of only four days.
The body of the archbishop was deposited in the cathedral
at York, where a handsome monument, with a very copious
inscription, records his merits, and the principal circum-
stances of his life.
Anthony Wood says of archbishop Dolben, that " he
was a man of a free, generous, and noble disposition, and
of a natural, bold, and happy eloquence." The latter
circumstance is confirmed by the testimony of his epitaph j
* Burnet, in speaking of his transla- indeed he prored a much better a rch-
tion to York, characterizes him a* " a bishop than he had been a bishop."
man of more spirit than discretion, and Some part of this character redounds
an excellent preacher, but of a free to the konour of archbishop Dolben,
conversation, which laid him open to and some part, perhaps our readers
much censure in a vicious court. And will think, is not rery intelligible.
D O L B £ N. 201
and by another, which we shall presently cite at large.
The former, by the following instances of his liberality at
the different places with which he was connected. The
pulpit at Stanwick is inscribed as his gift when bishop of
Rochester. He contributed one hundred pounds to the
rebuilding of St. Paul's cathedral, and two hundred and
fifty to the repairs of Christ Church, Oxford. He rebuilt
part of the episcopal palace at Bromley ; and, when dean
of Westminster, influenced the chapter to assign an equal
share with their own, in the dividends of fines, to the
repairs and support of that venerable church. At York he
gave one hundred and ninety-five ounces of plate for the
use of the cathedral.
But the fullest account of his person, talents, and cha-
racter, was drawn up by his friend sir William Trumbull,
and is still extant in his own hand-writing ; which, as it
proceeds from a person who had the fullest knowledge of
him, and is certainly authentic, we shall preserve in the
original words. " He was an extraordinary comely per-
son, though grown too fat ; of an open countenance, a
lively piercing eye, and a majestic presence. He hated
flattery, and guarded himself with all possible care against
the least insinuation of any thing of that nature, how well
soever he deserved : he had admirable natural parts, and
great acquired ones; for whatever he read he made his
own, and improved it. He had such an happy genius,
and such an admirable elocution, that his extempore
preaching was beyond not only most of other men's ela-
borate performances, but (I was going to say) even his
own. I have been credibly informed, that in Westminster-
abbey a preacher falling ill after he had named his text,
and proposed the heads of his intended discourse, the
bishop went up into the pulpit, took the same text, fol-
lowed the same method, and, I believe, discoursed much
better on each head than the other would have done.
" In the judgment he made of other men, he always
preferred the good temper of their minds above all other
qualities they were masters of: and it was this single
opinion he had of my integrity, which made him the
worthiest friend to me I ever knew. 1 have had the honour
to converse with many of the most eminent men at home
and abroad, but I never yet met with one that in all respects
equalled him. He bad a large and generous soul, and a
courage that nothing was too hard for : when he was
202 D O L B E N.
basely calumniated, he supported himself by the only true
heroism, if I may so phrase it; I mean by exalted Chris-
tianity, and by turning all the slander of his enemies into
the best use of studying and knowing himself, and keeping
a constant guard and watch upon his words and actions,
practising ever after (though hardly to be discovered, un-
less by nice and long observers), a strict course of life,
and a constant mortification.
" Not any of the bishop's bench, I may say not all of
them, had that interest and authority in the house of lords
which he had. He had easily mastered all the forms of
proceeding. He had studied much of our laws, especially
those of the parliament, and was not to be brow-beat or
daunted by the arrogance or titles of any courtier or fa-
vourite. His presence of mind and readiness of elocution,
accompanied with good breeding and an inimitable wit,
gave him a greater superiority than any other lord could
pretend to from his dignity of office. I wish I had a talent
suitable to the love and esteem I have for this great and
good rnan, to enlarge more upon this subject ; and, when
I think of his death, 1 cannot forbear dropping some tears,
for myself as well as for the public ; for in him we lost the
greatest abilities, the usefullest conversation, the faith-
tuliest friendship, and one who had a mind that practised
the best virtues itself, and a wit that was best able to re-
commend them to others, as Dr. Sprat expresses it in his
Life of Mr. Cowley."
As an author, not much remains to testify his abilities.
It is said by Wood, that he was not very careful to print
his sermons, though they much deserved publication : and,
in fact, only three are known to be extant. 1. " A Sermon
preached before the king at Whitehall, on Good Friday,
March 24, 1664." The text from John xix. part of ver.
19. 2. " A Sermon on Psal. liv. ver. 6 and 7," on a day of
thanksgiving for a naval victory; namely, June 20, 1665.
3. Another on a similar occasion in 1666, the text from
Psal. xviii. 1, 2, 3. Both these were also preached before
the king. They are all printed in quarto.
The wife of archbishop Dolben (by whom he had three
children, Gilbert and John, and a daughter Catharine,
who died an infant), survived him till 1706, when she died
at Fir.edon, in Northamptonshire, in her eightieth year.
His eldest son, Gilbert, who furnished Dryden with the
various editions of Virgil, when about to translate thus
D O L B E N. 203
poet, was afterwards created a baronet by queen Anne,
and for many years represented the city of Peterborough
in parliament. He was appointed a justice of the common
pleas in Ireland by William III. and held that office for
twenty years. He died in 1722. The probity and worth
of the present representatives of this family are well
known. *
DOLCE (CARLO, or CARLINO), a very eminent artist,
was born at Florence in 1616, and was a disciple of Jacopo
Vignali. His first attempt was a whole figure of St. John,
pointed when he was only eleven years of age, which
received extraordinary approbation ; and afterwards he
painted the portrait of his mother, which gained him such
general applause as placed him in the highest rank of
merit. From that time his new and delicate style procured
him great employment in Florence, and other cities of
Italy, as much, or even more than he was able to execute.
This great master was particularly fond of painting sacred
subjects, although he sometimes painted portraits. His
works are easily distinguished ; not so much by any supe-
riority to other renowned artists in design or force, as by a
peculiar delicacy with which he perfected all his composi-
tions; by a pleasing tint of colour, improved by a judicious
management of the chiaroscuro, which gave his figures a
surprising relief; by the graceful airs of his heads; and
by a placid repose diffused over the whole. His pencil
was tender, his touch inexpressibly neat, and his colouring
transparent ; though it ought to be observed, that he has
often been censured for the excessive labour bestowed on
his pictures and carnations, that have more the appearance
of ivory than the look of flesh. In his manner of working-
he was remarkably slow ; and it is reported of him that hi.s
brain was affected by having seen Luca Giordano dispatch
more business in four or five hours, than he could have
done in so many months. In the Palazzo Corsini, at
Florence, there is a picture of St. Sebastian painted by
Carlino Dolce, half figures of the natural size. It is ex-
tremely correct in the design, and beautifully coloured;
but it is rather too much laboured in regard to the finish-
ing, and hath somewhat of the ivory look in the rlesh
colour. In the Palazzo Ricardi is another picture of his,
1 Biog. Brit. — Le Neve's Lives of the Archbishops, vol. II. — Wood's Athena;,
vol. 11, — Wood's Annals, and Colleges and Halls.
204 DOLCE.
representing the Four Evangelists ; the figures are as large
as life, at half length ; and it is a lovely performance ; nor
does there appear in it that excessive high finishing for
which he is censured. The two best figures are St. Mat-
thew and St. John ; but the latter is superior to all ; it is
excellent in the design, the character admirable, and the
whole well executed. There is also a fine picture by him
in the Pembroke collection at Wilton, of which the sub-
ject is the Virgin ; it is ornamented with flowers, and those
were painted by Mario da Fieri. This artist died at Flo-
rence in 1686. His daughter Agnese Dolce was taught
painting by him, and strove to imitate him, which, how-
ever, she did best by furnishing copies from his numerous
pictures. Sir Robert Strange, who had a fine St. Margaret
by Carlo, observes, that however perfect, and however
studied his pictures are, it must be allowed that he la-
boured more to please the eye than to enrich the under-
standing by conveying to it great or noble ideas. l
DOLCE (LEWIS), a most laborious Italian writer, was
born at Venice in 1508. His family was one of the most
ancient in the republic, but reduced in circumstances.
Lewis remained the whole of his life in his native city,
occupied in his numerous literary undertakings, which
procured him some personal esteem, but little reputation
or wealth. Perhaps his best employment was that of cor-,
rector of the press to the celebrated printer Gabriel Gio-
lito, whose editions are so much admired for the beauties
of type and paper, and yet with the advantage of Dolce's
attention, are not so correct as could be wished. As an
original author, Dolce embraced the whole circle of polite
literature and science, being a grammarian, rhetorician,
orator, historian, philosopher, editor, translator, and com-
mentator ; and as a poet, he wrote tragedies, comedies,
epics, lyrics, and satires. All that can be called events
in his life, were some literary squabbles, particularly with
Ruscelli, who was likewise a corrector of Giolito's press.
He died of a dropsical complaint in 1569, according to
Apostolo Zeno, and, according to Tiraboschi, in 1566.
Baillet, unlike most critics, says he was one of the best
writers of his age. His style is flowing, pure, and elegant;
but he was forced by hunger to spin out his works, and to
neglect that frequent revisal which is so necessary to the
1 Pilkington. — Sir R. Strange's Catalogue.
DOLCE. 205
finishing of a piece. Of his numerous works, a list of
which may be seen in Niceron, or Moreri, the following
are in some reputation : 1. " Dialogo della pittura, intito-
lato I'Aretino," Venice, 1557, 8vo. This work was re-
printed, with the French on the opposite page, at Florence,
1735. 2. " Cinque priini canti del Sacripante," Vinegia^
1535, 8vo. 3. " Primaleone," 1562, 4to. 4. " Achilles;1*
and " Jineas," 1570, 4to. 5. " La prima imprese del
conte Orlando," 1572, 4to. 6. Poems in different col-
lections, among others in that of Berni. And the Lives of
Charles V. and Ferdinand the First. l
DOLET (STEPHEN), a voluminous French writer, who
was burnt for his religious opinions at Paris, was born at
Orleans about 1509, of a good family. Some have re-
ported that he was the natural son of Francis I. but this
does not agree with the age of that monarch, who was
born in 1494. Dolet began his studies at Orleans, and
was sent to continue them at Paris when twelve years old.
He applied with particular diligence to the belles lettres,
and to rhetoric under Nicholas Berauld. His taste for
these studies induced him to go to Padua, where he re-
mained for three years, and made great progress under the
instructions of Simon de Villa Nova, with whom he con-
tracted an intimate friendship, and not only dedicated
some of his poetical pieces to him, but on his death in
1530, composed some pieces to his memory, and wrote
his epitaph. After the death of this friend, he intended to
have returned to France, but John de Langeac, the Vene-
tian ambassador, engaged him as his secretary. During
his residence at Venice, he received some instructions from
Baptiste F,griatio, who commented on Lucretius and Ci-
cero's Offices, and he became enamoured of a young lady
whose charms and death he has celebrated in his Latin
poems. On his return to France with the ambassador, he
pursued his study of Cicero, who became his favourite
author ; and he began to make collections for his com-
mentaries on the Latin language. His friends having
about this time advised him to study law, as a profession,
he went to Toulouse, and divided his time between law arid
the belles lettres. Toulouse was then famous for law
studies, and as it was frequented by students of all nations,
i Tirabo«chi.— -Ginguene Hist. Lit. d'lta'ie.— JTceron, vol. XXXII.— Moren,
— Saxii Onomast.
206 D O L E T.
each had its little society, and its orator or president.
The French scholars chose Doiet into this office, and he,
with the rashness which adhered to him all his life, com-
menced hy a harangue in which he praised the French at
the expence of the Toulousians, wliom he accused of ig-
norance and barbarism, because the parliament of Toulouse
wished to prohibit these societies. This was answered by
Peter Pinache, to whom JJolet replied with such aggravated
contempt for the Toulousians, that in 1533 he was im-
prisoned for a month, and then banished from the city.
Some think he harboured Lutheran opinions, which was
the cause of his imprisonment and banishment, but there
is not much in his writings to justify this supposition,
except his occasional sneers at ecclesiastics. As soon,
however, as he reached Lyons, he took his revenge by
publishing his harangues against the Touloiuians, with
some satirical verses on those whom he considered as the
most active promoters of his disgrace ; and that he might
have something to plead against the consequences of such
publications, he pretended that they had been stolen from
him and given to the press without his knowledge. The
verses were, however, inserted in the collection of his
Latin poems printed in 1538.
After residing for some time at Lyons, Dolet came to
Paris in October 1534, and published some new works;
and was about to have returned to Lyons in 1536, but was
obliged to abscond for a time, having killed a person who
had attacked him. Ke then came to Paris, ami presented
himself to Francis I. who received him graciously, and
granted him a pardon, by which he was enabled to return
to Lyons. All these incidents he has introduced in his
poems. It appears to have been on his return to Lyons at
this time that he commenced the business of printer, and the
first work which came from his press in 1538, was the four
books of his Latin poems. He also married about the
same time, and had a son, Claude, born to him in 1539.
whose birth he celebrates in a Latin poem printed the same
year. From some parts of his poems in his " Second
Enfer," it would appear that the imprisonment we have
mentioned, was not all he suffered, and that he was im-
prisoned twice at Lyons, and once at Paris, before that
final imprisonment which ended in his death. For all these
we are unable to account; his being confined at Paris
appears to have been for his religious opinions, but after
D O L E T. 207
fifteen months he was released by the interest of Peter
Castellanus, or Du Chatel, then bishop of Tulles. He
was not, however, long at large, being arrested at Lyons,
Jan. 1, 1544, from which he contrived to make his escape,
and took refuge in Piemont, when he wrote the nine
epistles which form his " Deuxieme Enfer." We are not
told whether he ever returned to Lyons publicly, but only
that he was again apprehended in 1545, and condemned
to be burnt as a heretic, or rather as an atheist, which
sentence was executed at Paris, Aug. 3, 1516. On this
occasion it is said by some that he made profession of die
catholic faith by invoking the saints ; but others doubt this
fact. Whether pursuant to his sentence, or as a remission
of the most horrible part of it, we know not, but he was
first strangled, and then burnt. Authors diii'er much as to
the real cause of his death ; some attributing it to the fre-
quent attacks he had made on the superstitions and licen-
tious lives of the ecclesiastics; others to his being a heretic,
or Lutheran ; and others to his impiety, or atheism. Jor-
tin, in his Life of Erasmus, and in his " Tracts," contends
for the latter, and seems disinclined to do justice to Dolec
in any respect. Dolet certainly had the art of making
enemies; he was presumptuous, indiscreet, and violent in
his resentments, but we have no direct proof of the cause
for which he suffered. On one occasion a solemn censure
was pronounced against him by the assembly of divines at
Paris, for having inserted the following words in a transla-
tion of Plato VAxiochus, from the Latin version into I'Yench :
" Apres la mort tu tie seras rien clu tout," and this is said
to have produced his condemnation ; but, barbarous as the
times then were, we should be inclined to doubt whether
the persecutors would have condemned a man or' acknow-
ledged learning and genius for a single expression, and
that merely a translation. On the other hand, we know
not how to admit Dolet among the protestant martyrs, as
Calvin, and others who lived at the time, and must have
known his character, represent him as a man of no religion.
Dolet contributed not a little to the restoration of classi-
cal literature in France, and particularly to the reformation
of the Latin style, to which he, had applied most of his
attention. He appears to have known little of Greek lite-
rature but through the medium of translations, and his
own Latin style is by some thought very laboured, and
composed of expressions and. half sentences, a sort of
208 D O L E T.
cento, borrowed from bis favourite Cicero and otber
authors. He wrote much, considering that his life was
short, and much of it spent in vexatious removals and in
active employments. His works are: l."S. Doleti ora-
tiones diue in Tholosam ; ejusdem epistolarum hbri duo ;
ejusdem canninum libri duo; ad eundem epistolarum ami-*'
corum liber," 8vo, without date, but most probably in
1534, when he had been driven from Toulouse and was at
Lyons, as mentioned above. 2. " Dialogus de imitutione
Ciceroniana, adversus Desiderium Erasmum pro Christo-
phoro Longolio," Lyons, 1535, 4to. This was an attack
on Erasmus in defence of Longolius, in which he had been
partly anticipated by Scaliger in his " O ratio pro Cicerone
contra Erasmum." 3. " Commentariorum linguce Latinse
tomi duo," Lyons, 1536 and 1588, fol. This is a kind of
Latin dictionary, in the manner of a common-place book,
and evidently a work of great labour. He began it in his
sixteenth year. An abridgment of it was published at
Basil in 1537, 8vo. 4. " De re navali liber ad Lazarum
Bayfium," Lyons, 1537, 4to, and inserted by Gronovius in
vol. XL of his Greek antiquities. 5. " S. Doleti Galli
Aurelii Carminum libri quatuor," printed by himself at
Lyons, 1538, 4to. Dolet's Latin verses have been too
much undervalued by Jortin and others. 6. " Genethliacon
Claudii Doleti, Stephani Doleti nlii; liber vitae communi
in primis utilis et necessarius; autore patre, Lugduni, apud
eundem Doletum," 1539, 4to. A French translation was
printed by the author in the same year. 7. " Formulas
Latinarum locutionum illustriorum in tres partes divisae,"
Lyons, 1539, folio, and with additions by Sturmius and
Susannasus, Strasburgh, 1596, 4to. 8. " Francisci Va-
lesii, Gallorum regis, fata, ubi rein omnem celebriorem a
Gallis gestam noscas, ab anno 1513 ad annum 1539," Ly-
ons, 1539, 4to. This which is in Latin verse, was trans-
lated by the author into French prose, and printed in 1540,
4to, 1543, 8vo, and Paris, 1546, 8vo. 9. " Observationes
in Terentii Andriam et Eunuchum," Lyons, 1540, 8vo.
10. " La maniere de bien trad u ire d'une langue en une
autre ; de la ponctuation Francoise, &c." Lyons, 1540,
8vo. 11. " Liber de imitatione Ciceroniana adversus Flo-
ridum Sabinum ; Responsio ad convitia ejusdem Sabini;
Epigrammata in eundem," Lyons, 1540, 4to. Dolet was
unfortunately not content with arguing with his antagonists,
but more frequently exasperated them by his sarcastic
D O L E T. 209
attacks. 12. " Libri tres de legato, de immunitate legato-
rum, et de Joannis Langiachi Lemovicensis episcopi Le-
gationibus," Lyons, 1541, 4to. 13. " Les epitres et evan-
giles des cinquante-deux dimanches, &,c. avec brieve ex-
position," Lyons, 1541, 8vo. 14. A translation of Eras-
mus's " Miles Christianus," Lyons, 1542, 16mo. 15,
" Claudii Cotersei Turonensis de jure et privilegiismilitum
libri tres, et de officio imperatoris liber unus," Lyons,
1539, folio. 16. " On Confession," translated from Eras-
mus, ibid. 1542, 16mo. 17. ** Discotirs contenant le seul
et vrai moyen, par lequel un serviteur favorise et constitue"
au service d'un prince, peut conserver sa felicite eternelle
et temporelle, &c." Lyons, 1542, 8vo. 18. " Exhortation,
a la lecture des saintes lettres," ibid. 1542, 16rno. 19. " La
paraphrase de Jean Campensis sur les psalmes de David,
&c. faite Frangoise," ibid. 1542. 20. " Bref discours de
la republique Franchise, desirant la lecture des livres de
la sainte ecriture lui etre loisible en sa langue vulgaire,"
in verse, Lyons, 1544, 16mo. 21. A translation of Plato's
Axiochus and Hipparchus, Lyons, 1544, I6mo. This was
addressed to Francis I. in a prose epistle, in which the
author promises a translation of all the works of Plato, ac-
cuses his country of ingratitude, and supplicates the king
to permit him to return to Lyons, being now imprisoned.
22. " Second Enfer d'Etienne Dolet," in French verse,
Lyons, 1544, 8vo. This consists of nine poetical letters
addressed to Francis I. the duke of Orleans, the duchess
d'Estampes, the queen of Navarre, the cardinal Lorraine,
cardinal Tournon, the parliament of Paris, the judges of
Lyons, and his friends. The whole is a defence of the
conduct for which he was imprisoned at Lyons in the be-
ginning of 1544. He had written a first " Enfer," con-
sisting of memorials respecting his imprisonment at Paris,
and was about to have published it when he was arrested
at Lyons, but it never appeared. Besides these, he pub-
lished translations into French of Cicero's Tusculan Ques-
tions and his Familiar Epistles, which went through several
editions. Almost all Dolet's works are scarce, owing to
* O
their having been burnt by sentence of the divines of
Paris, whose decisions on them may be seen in D'Ar-
gentre's " Collectio judiciorum de novis erroribus." In
1779, M. Nee, a bookseller at Paris, published a curious
Life of Dolet, 8vo, by an anonymous author, which we
VOL. XII. P
210 D O L L O N D.
have not seen, but many additional particulars to our
sketch may be found in our authorities. '
DOLLOND (JOHN), an eminent optician, and the
inventor of the achromatic telescope, was born in Spital-
fields, June 10, 1706. His parents were French protes-
tants, and at the time of the revocation of the edict of
Nantz, in 1685, resided in Normandy, but in what par-
ticular part cannot now be ascertained. M. de Lalande
does not believe the name to be of French origin ; but,
however this may be, the family were compelled soon after
this period to seek refuge in England, in order to avoid
persecution, and to preserve their religion. The fate
of this family was not a solitary case ; fifty thousand persons
pursued the same measures, and we may date from this
period the rise of several arts and manufactures, which have
become highly beneficial to this country. An establish-
ment was given to these refugees, by the wise policy of
our government, in Spitalfields, and particular encourage-
ment granted to the silk manufactory.
The first years of Mr. Doliond's life were employed at
the loom ; but, being of a very studious and philosophic
turn of mind, his leisure hours were engaged in mathe-
matical pursuits; and though by the death of his father,
which happened in his infancy, his education gave way to
the necessities of his family, yet at the age of fifteen, be-
fore he had an opportunity of seeing works of science or
elementary treatises, he amused himself by constructing
sun-dials, drawing geometrical schemes, and solving pro-
- blems. An early marriage and an increasing family afford-
ed him little opportunity of pursuing his favourite studies :
but such are the powers of the human mind when called
into action, that difficulties, which appear to the casual
observer insurmountable, yield and retire before perse-
verance and genius ; even under the pressure of a close
application to business for the support of his family, he
found time, by abridging the hours of his rest, to extend
his mathematical knowledge, and made a considerable
proficiency in optics and astronomy, to which he now
principally devoted his attention, having, in the earlier
1 Moreri. — Niceron, vol. XXI. — Gen. Diet — Baillet Jngemens. — Clement
Bib!. Curieuse. — Joitin's Erasmus. — Maittaire's Annales Typographic!, vol. IV.
— Tliree letters in the Gent. Mag. vol. LXI. LX1II. and'LXIV.— Saxii Ono-
masucou.
D O L L O N D. 211
stages of his life, prepared himself for the higher parts qjf
those subjects by a perfect knowledge of algebra and
geometry.
Soon after this, without abating from the ardour of his
other literary pursuits, or relaxing from the labours of his
profession, he began to study anatomy, and likewise to
read divinity ; and finding the knowledge of Latin and
Greek indispensably necessary towards attaining those ends,
he applied himself diligently, and was soon able to trans-
late the Greek Testament into Latin ; and as he admired
the power and wisdom of the Creator in the mechanism of
the human frame, so he adored his goodness displayed in
his revealed word. It might from hence be concluded that
his sabbath was devoted to retired reading and philoso-
phical objects ; but he was not content with private devo-
tion, as he was always an advocate for social worship, and
with his family regularly attended the public service of the
French protestant church, and occasionally heard Benson
and Lardner, whom he respected as men, and admired as
preachers. In his appearance he was grave, and the
strong lines of his face were marked with deep thought
and reflection ; but in his intercourse with his family and
friends, he was cheerful and affectionate; and his lan-
guage and sentiments are distinctly recollected as always
making a strong impression on the minds of those with
whom he conversed. His memory was extrordinarily re-
tentive ; an.d amidst the variety of his reading, he could
recollect and quote the most important passages of every
book which he had at any time perused.
He designed his eldest son, Peter Dollond, for the
same business with himself; and for several years they
carried on their manufactures together in Spital -fields; but
the employment neither suited the expectations nor dis-
position of the son, who, having received much information
upon mathematical and philosophical subjects from the in-
struction of his father, and observing the great value which
was set upon his father's knowledge in the theory of optics
by professional men, determined to apply that knowledge
to the benefit of himself and his family ; and, accordingly,
under the directions of his father, commenced optician.
Success, though under the most unfavourable circumstances,
attended every effort; and in 1752, John Dollond, em-
bracing the opportunity of pursuing a profession congenial
with his mind, and without neglecting the rule* of pr.u-
P 2
212 D O L L O N D.
dence towards his family, joined his son, and in conse-
quence of his theoretical knowledge, soon became a pro-
ficient in the practical parts of optics.
His first attention was directed to improve the combina-
tion of the eye-glasses of refracting telescopes ; and having
succeeded in his system of four eye-glasses, he proceeded
one step further, and produced telescopes furnished with
five eye-glasses, which considerably surpassed the former ;
and of which he gave a particular account in a paper pre-
sented to the royal society, and which was read on March
1, 1753, and printed in the " Philosophical Transactions,'*
vol. XLV1II. Soon after this he made a very useful im-
provement in Mr. Savery's micrometer ; for, instead of
employing two entire eye-glasses, as Mr. Savery and M.
Bouguer had done (see BOUGUER), he vised only one glass
cut into two equal parts, one of them sliding or moving
laterally by the other. This was considered to be a great
improvement, as the micrometer could now be applied to
the reflecting telescope with much advantage, and which
Mr. James Short immediately did. An account of the
same was given to the royal society, in two papers, which
were afterwards printed in the " Philosophical Transac-
tions," vol. XLVIII. This kind of micrometer was after-
wards applied by Mr. Peter Dollond to the achromatic te-
lescope, as appears by a letter of his to Mr. Short, which
was read in the royal society Feb. 7, 1765.
Mr. Dollond's celebrity in optics became now universal ;
and the friendship and protection of the most eminent men
of science, tiattered and encouraged his pursuits. To
enumerate the persons, both at home and abroad, who
distinguished him by their correspondence, or cultivated
his acquaintance, however honourable to his memory,
would be only an empty praise. Yet among those who
held the highest place in his esteem as men of worth and
learning, may be mentioned, Mr. Thomas Simpson, master
of the royal academy at Woolwich ; Mr. Harris, assny-
master at the Tower, who was at that time engaged in
writing and publishing his " Treatise on Optics;" the rev.
Dr. Bradley, then astronomer royal; the rev. William
Ludlam, of St. John's college, Cambridge ; and Mr. John
Canton, a most ingenious man, and celebrated not less.
for his knowledge in natural philosophy, than for his neat
and accurate manner of making philosophical experiments.
To this catalogue of the philosophical names of those days,
DOLLOND. 213
xve may add that of the late venerable astronomer-royal,
the rev. Dr. Maskelyne, whose labours have so eminently
benefited the science of astronomy.
Surrounded by these enlightened men, in a state of mind
prepared for the severest investigation of philosophic truths,
and in circumstances favourable to liberal inquiry, Mr.
Dollond engaged in the discussion of a subject, which at
that time not only interested this country, but all Europe.
Sir Isaac Newton had declared, in his Treatise on Optics,
p. 112, " That all refracting substances diverged the pris-
matic colours in a constant proportion to their mean re-
fraction," and drew this conclusion, " that refraction could
not be produced without colour," and consequently, " that
no improvement could be expected in the refracting tele-
scope." No one doubted the accuracy with which sir
Isaac Newton had made the experiment ; yet some men,
particularly M. Euler and others, were of opinion that the
conclusion which Newton had drawn from it went too far,
and maintained that in very small angles refraction might
be obtained without colour. Mr. Dollond was not of that
opinion, but defended Newton's doctrine with much learn-
ing and ingenuity, as may be seen by a reference to the
letters which passed between Euler and Dollond upon that
occasion, and which were published in the " Philosophical
Transactions," vol. XLVIII. ; and contended, that, " if the
result of the experiment had been as described by sir
Isaac Newton, there could not be refraction without co-
lour,"
A mind constituted like Mr. Dollond' s, could not re-
main satisfied with arguing in this manner, from an expe-
riment made b} another, but determined to try it himself,
and accordingly in 1757 began the examination ; and, to
use his own words, with " a resolute perseverance," con-
tinued during that year, and a great part of the next, to
bestow his whole mind on the subject, until in June 1758
he found, after a complete course of experiments, the
result to be very different from that which he expected,
and from that which sir Isaac Newton had related. He
discovered " the difference in the dispersion of the colours
ot light, when the mean rays are equally refracted by diffe-
rent mediums." The discovery was complete, and he imme-
diately drew from it this practical conclusion, " that the object-
glasses of refracting telescopes were capable of being made
without the images formed by them being affected by the
214 DOLLOND.
different refrangibility of the rays of light." His account of
this experiment, and of others connected with it, was given
to the royal society, and printed in their Transactions, vol. L.
and he was presented in the same year, by that learned
body, with sir Godfrey Copley's medal, as a reward of his
merit, and a memorial of the discovery, though not at that
time a member of the society. This discovery no way af-
fected the points in dispute between Euler and Dollond,
respecting the doctrine advanced by sir Isaac Newton. A
new principle was in a manner found out, which had no
part in their former reasonings, and it was reserved for
the accuracy of Dollond to have the honour of making a
discovery which had eluded the observation of the immortal
Newton. The cause of this difference of the results of the
8th experiment of the second part of the first book of New-
ton's Optics, as related by himself, and as it was found
when tried by Dollond in 1757 and 1758, is fully and in-
geniously accounted for by Mr. Peter Dollond in a paper
read at the royal society, March 21, .1789, and afterwards
published in a pamphlet.
This new principle being now established, he was soon
able to construct object-glasses, in which the different re-
frangibility of the rays of light was corrected, and the name
of achromatic was given to them by the late Dr. Bevis, on
account of their being free from the prismatic colours,
and not by Lalande, as some have said. As usually hap-
pens on such occasions, no sooner was the achromatic te-
lescope made public, than the rivalship of foreigners, and
the jealousy of philosophers at home, led them to dftubt of
its reality ; and Euler himself, in his paper read before
the academy of sciences at Berlin in 1764, says, " I am
not ashamed frankly to avow that the first accounts which
were published of it appeared so suspicious, and even so
contrary to the best established principles, that I could not
prevail upon myself to give credit to them;" and he adds,
*' I should never have submitted to the proofs which Mr.
Dollond produced to support this strange phenomenon, if
M. Clairaut, who must at first have been equally surprized
at it, had not most positively assured me that Dpllond's
experiments were but too well founded." And when the
fact could be no longer disputed, they endeavoured to
find a prior inventor, to whom it might be ascribed ; and
several conjecturers were honoured with the title of dis-
coverers. But Mr. Peter Dollond in the paper we have
D O L L O N D. 215
just mentioned, has stated and vindicated, in the most un-
exceptionable and convincing mamier, his father's right
to the first discovery of this improvement in refracting te-
lescopes, as well as of the principle on which it was
founded. In so doing he has corrected the mistakes of
M. de la Lande in his account of this subject ; those of
M. N. Fuss, professor of mathematics at St. Petersburg,
in his " Eulogy on Euler," written and published in 1783 ;
and those of count Cassini, in his " Extracts of the Ob-
servations made at the Royal Observatory at Paris in the
year 1787;" and it must appear to every impartial and
candid examiner, that Mr. Dollond was the sole discoverer
of the principle which led to the improvement of refracting
telescopes.
This improvement was of the greatest advantage in as-
tronomy, as they have been applied to fixed instruments ;
by which the motions of the heavenly bodies are deter-
mined to a much greater exactness than by the means of
the old telescope. Navigation has also been much bene-
fited by applying achromatic telescopes to the Hadley's
Sextant ; and from the improved state of the lunar tables,
and of that instrument, the longitude at sea may now be
determined by good observers, to a great degree of accu-
racy ; and their universal adoption by the navy and army,
as well as by the public in general, is the best proof of the
great utility of the discovery.
In the beginning of 1761, Mr. Dollond was elected
F. R. S. and appointed optician to his majesty, but did
not live to enjoy these honours long; for on Nov. 30, in
the same year, as he was reading a new publication of M.
Clairaut, on the theory of the moon, and on which he had
been intently engaged for several hours, he was seized
with apoplexy, which rendered him immediately speech-
less, and occasioned his death in a few hours afterwards.
His family, at his death, consisted of three daughters and
two sons, Peter and John, who, possessing their father's
abilities, carried on the optical business in partnership,
until the death of John, when it was continued, and still
flourishes, under the management of Mr. Peter Dollond,
well known as an able philosopher and artist, and Mr. George
Huggins, his nephew, who, upon the king's permission,
has taken the name of Dollond.1
1 From the Life of John Dollond, F. R. S. by John Kelly, LL. D. rector of
Copford, in Essex ; author of the Triglott Celtic Dictionary, and a translator
216 D O L O M I E U.
DOLMAN. See PARSONS (ROBKRT).
DOLOMIEU (DEODATI--GUY-SILVAIN-TANCRED GRA-
TET DE), a very able mineralogist, was born in Dauphiny,
June 24, 1750. Of his early history our authorities give
but a confused account. He was inspector of the mines,
and commander of the order of Malta. He first went to
sea at the age of eighteen, when being insulted by one of
his companions, who was on board the same ship, he fought
and killed him ; for which, on his return to Malta, he was
sentenced to death by the chapter of the order. The
grand-master, however, granted him his pardon, but as it
was necessary that it should be confirmed by the pope, and
as his holiness was at that time out of humour with the
knights, he remained inflexible, and Dolomieu was con-
fined for nine months in a dungeon in the island. He af-
terwards resumed his studies, and accompanied the regi-
ment of carabineers in which he was an officer. At Metz
he took his first lessons in chemistry and natural history,
and his progress became so rapid, that the academy of
sciences granted him the title of corresponding member,
which favour attached him entirely to natural philosophy.
He then quitted the service, and almost immediately be-
gan his travels through Sicily, which produced " Voyage
aux Isles de Lipari," 1783, 8vo ; a very interesting ac-
count of these volcanic isles, and forming very useful ma-
terials for a history of volcanoes. In the same year he
published " Memoire sur le tremblemens de terre de la
Calabre in 1783," 8vo, which the following year was trans-
lated into Italian; and in 1788, "Memoire sur les isles
Ponces, et Catalogue raisonne de PEtna," 8vo.
On the commencement of the revolution, he embraced
the principles of the popular party, but refusing any public
employment, pursued his favourite studies. In the "Jour-
nal de Physique," for 1790, we find a dissertation by him
on the origin of basaltes ; and he prepared the mineralo-
gical articles of the new Encyclopaedia. The revolutionary
horrors, which were fatal to his friend the duke de Roche-
foucault, who was murdered before his eyes, had likely
to have been equally fatal to himself, his name being in-
serted in the lists of the proscribed by the tyrants of the
of the Bible into the Manks Gaelic. Dr. Krlly married a daughter of Mr. Peter
Dolloml. This Life wos printed for private distribution by Messrs. Dollond,
and obligingly presented to the Editor of this Dictionary by Mr. G. H. Dollond.
Besides the Life, there is an Appendix of various iroportaril papers relating to
the discovery aud uses of the achromatic telescope.
D O L O M I E U. 217
day ; but he escaped by wandering from place to place,
until calmer times, when he was appointed inspector of
the mines, and at length Bonaparte took him with him in
his expedition to Egypt. He is said to have contributed
to the surrender of Malta to the French, by the connec-
tions which he still preserved there; but after the memo-
rable battle of Aboukir, when obliged to land in Calabria,
he was seized by order of the king of Naples, and thrown
into a dungeon at Messina. Here he was detained, not-
withstanding the earnest applications of the French go-
vernment, the king of Spain, sir Joseph Banks, and other
eminent characters in Europe, nor was he released until
the peace of 1800. He then resumed his wonted occu-
pations, visited the mountains of Swisserland, and was
about to have published the result of his observations,
when he died Nov. 28, 1801, at Dree, near Macon. He
had been appointed member of the conservative senate
immediately after his return, and was a member of the In-
stitute. After his death was published his essay " Sur la
philosophic mineralogique," composed during his impri-
sonment at Malta, where such were his privations, that,
as he informs us, the black of his lamp, diluted with water,
served him for ink; his pen was a fragment of bone, shaped
with great labour on the floor of his prison, and the prin-
cipal part of his work was written on the margins, and be-
tween the lines of some books which bad been left in his
possession. These contrivances gave him the pleasure
which is felt on overcoming difficulties; and he adds, that
had it not been that he found himself placed in such a si-
tuation, perhaps he never would have undertaken this work
at all. His last journey to the Alps was lately published
by Bruun Neergaard, in 8vo. l
DOMAT (JoHN), a French lawyer, was born of a good
family, at Clermont, in Auvergne, in 1625. Father Sir-
mood, who was his great uncle, had the care of his educa-
tion, and sent him to the college at Paris, where he learned
the Latin, Greek, Italian, and Spanish tongues, applied
himself to the study of philosophy and the belles-lettres,
and made himself a competent master in the mathematics.
Afterwards he went to study the law, and to take his de-
grees at Bourges, where professor Emerville made him an
offer of a doctor's hood, though he was but twenty years of
age. Upon his return from Bourges, he attended the bar of
1 Diet. Hist. — Biographic Moderne.
218 D O M A T.
the high court of judicature at Clermont, and began to plead
with extraordinary success. In 1648 he married, and by
that marriage had thirteen children. Three years before he
had been made advocate to the king, in the high court of
Clermont ; which place he filled for thirty years with such
uncommon reputation for integrity as well as ability, that he
became arbiter, in a great measure, of all the affairs of the
province. The confusion which he had observed in the laws,
put him upon forming a design of reducing them to their
natural order. He drew up a plan for this purpose, and com-
municated it to his friends, who approved of it so much, and
thought it so useful, that they persuaded him to shew it to
some of the chief magistrates. With this view he went to
Paris in 1685, where the specimen of his work, which he
carried along with him, wras judged to be so excellent, that
Lewis XIV. upon the report which Pelletier, then comp-
troller general, made to him of it, ordered Domat to con-
tinue at Paris, and settled upon him a pension of 2000
livres. Henceforward he employed himself at Paris, in
finishing and perfecting his work ; the first volume of which,
in 4to, was published there, under the title of " Les Lois
civiles, dans leur ordre naturel," 1689. Three other
volumes were published afterwards, which did their author
the highest honour ; who, upon the publication of the first,
was introduced by Pelletier, to present it to the king. It
was usual to recommend this work to young lawyers and
divines, who wished to apply themselves to the study of
morality and the civil law; and an improved edition was
published so recently as 1777. It was also translated and
published in English by Dr. William Strahan, 1720, 2 vols.
fol. and reprinted and enlarged in 1741. His " Legum
Delectus," which is a part of this great work, was printed
separately, and very elegantly by Wetstein ; and in 1806,
M. d'Agard published the first volume of a translation of
this " Delectus," with notes, &c.
Domat died at Paris Mar. 14, 1696. He was intimately
acquainted with the celebrated Pascal, who was his coun-
tryman, and with whom he had many conferences upon
religious subjects. He used also to make experiments
with him upon the weight of the air, and in other branches
of natural philosophy. He was at Paris when Pascal died
there Aug. 19, 1662, and was entrusted by him with his.
most secret papers.1
1 Moreri. — Diet. Hist.
D O M B E Y. 219
DOMBEY (JOSEPH), an eminent French botanist and
traveller, was born at Macon, Feb. 22, 1742. He was
brought up to the study of medicine, and took the de-
gree of doctor of physic in the university of Montpellier.
He there imbibed, under the celebrated professor Gouan,
a taste for natural history, more especially for botany.
To this taste he sacrificed his profession, and all prospect
of emolument from that source, and cultivated no studies
but such as favoured his darling propensity. Whatever
time was not devoted to that, was given to the pleasures
and dissipation incident to his time of life, his gay and
agreeable character, and the society with which he was
surrounded. To this dissipation he perhaps sacrificed
more than prudence could justify ; and it was fortunate for
his moral character and worldly interest, probably also for
his scientific success, that he removed to Paris in 1772, to
improve his botanical knowledge. In 1775, while re-
turning from a visit to Haller at Berne, he was informed
that M. Turgot, the French minister, had chosen him to
go to Peru, in search of plants that might be naturalized
in Europe. On this he immediately returned to Paris,
was presented to the minister, and received his appoint-
ment, with a salary of 3000 livres. Part of this was obliged
to be mortgaged to pay his debts, and he was detained until
the Spanish court had consented to the undertaking, which
was not until next year. On arriving at Madrid, in No-
vember 1776, he found that the Spanish court had encum-
bered his expedition with futile instructions, and had added
four companions, who, although of very little use, had each
a salary of 10,000 livres. He accomplished his voyage,
however, in six months, arriving at Lima April 8, 1778,
where he obtained a favourable reception from the vice-
roy of Peru, Don Emanuel de Guirrior, and from M. de
Bordenave, one of the canons of Lima.
His first botanical expedition towards Quito was not with-
out danger, from hordes of run-away negroes, but it af-
forded him an abundant harvest of specimens of plants,
as well as of antiquities from the sepulchres of the ancient
Peruvians. These, with thirty-eight pounds of platina,
and a collection of seeds, he sent immediately to Europe,
He was also employed by the viceroy to analyse some
mineral waters in that neighbourhood. He afterwards
settled for a time in the mountainous province of Tarma,
beyond the Cordilleras, and in May 1780, visited Huanuco,
the extremity of the Spanish settlements in that direction.
-20 D O M B E Y.
To investigate the vast and almost impervious forests }••••
yond, swarming with insects, and filled with stagnant
pestiferous vapours, proved a labour of no less danger than
difficulty ; not only from these natural impediments, but
from the savages, 200 of whom were advancing by night
to plunder them, had they not escaped by a precipitate
and perilous retreat to Huanuco. From thence Dombey
returned alone to Lima, where, although he x\vas much
discouraged by the ignorance and bigotry of the Spanish
priests, he met with some enlightened and disinterested
characters, who could appreciate his merit, and rendered
him, from time to time, the most essential services.
Having sent off his second collection to Europe, Dom-
bey returned to Huanuco, in the end of December 1780,
where he had shortly after the mortification of hearing that
his first collection had been taken by the English, and re-
deemed at Lisbon, by the Spanish government, conse-
quently that the antiquities were now detained in Spain,
and that duplicates only of the. dried plants and seeds had
been forwarded to Paris. Dombey in the mean while,
leaving his more recent acquisitions in safety at Lima, un-
dertook a journey to Chili, and although his journey was
necessarily attended with vast expence, his character was
now so well known, that he readily met with assistance.
He arrived at La Conception in the beginning of 1782,
where, the town being afflicted with a pestilential fever,
he devoted himself to the exercise of his medical skill, as-
sisting the poor with advice, food, and medicine. This
example having the effect to restore the public courage,
the grateful people wished to retain him, with a handsome
stipend, as their physician ; and the bishop of La Con-
ception endeavoured to promote his union with a young
lady of great beauty and riches, on whom his merit had
made impressions as honourable to herself as to him ; but
neither of these temptations prevailed. Having added
greatly to his collection of drawings, shells, and minerals,
as welt as of plants, and having discovered a new and most
valuable mine of quicksilver, and another of gold, he re-
visited Lima, to take his passage for Europe. A journey
of 100 leagues among the Cordilleras, made at his own
expence, had much impaired his finances and his health,
but he refused the repayment which the country offered
him, saying, that " though he was devoted to the service
of Spain, it was for his own sovereign, who had sent him,
to pay his expences." In Chili he discovered the majestic
D O M B E Y. 221
tree, of the tribe of Pines, 150 feet high, now named after
him, Dombeya, of which the Norfolk-island pine is ano-
ther species. While he still remained at Lima, the la-
bours of arranging and packing his collections of natural
history, added to the fatigues he had already undergone,
and the petty jealousies and contradictions he experienced
from some of the Spaniards in power, preyed upon his
health and spirits ; and under the idea that he might pos-
sibly never reach Europe, he wrote to his friend Thouin,
to take the necessary precautions for the safety of his
treasures on their arrival in a Spanish port. He survived,
however, to undergo far greater distresses than he had
yet known. After narrowly escaping shipwreck at Cape
Horn, and being obliged to wait at the Brasils till his
ship could be refitted, which last circumstance indeed was
favourable to his scientific pursuits and acquisitions, he
reached Cadiz on the 22d of February, 1785; but, instead
of the reception he expected and deserved, he was not
only tormented with the most pettifogging and dishonest
behaviour concerning the property of his collections, but
those collections were exposed, without discrimination or
precaution, to the rude and useless scrutiny of the barba-
rians at the custom-house, so as to be rendered useless, in
a great measure, even to those who meant to plunder them.
The whole were thrown afterwards into damp warehouses,
where their true owner was forbidden to enter. Here
they lay for the plants to rot, and the inestimable collec-
tions of seeds to lose their powers of vegetation, till certain
forms were gone through, which forms, as it afterwards
appeared, tended chiefly to the rendering their plunder
useless to others, rather than valuable to their own nation.
In the first place, as much of these treasures had suffered
by this ill-treatment, Dombey was required to repair the
injury from his own allotment, or from that of his master,
the king of France. With this he could not of himself
comply ; but an order was, for some political reason, pro-
cured from the French court, and he was obliged to sub-
mit. He could never, however, obtain that the seeds
should be committed to the earth so as to be of use; and
hence the gardens of Europe have been enriched with
scarcely half a score of his botanical discoveries, among
which are the magnificent Datura arborea, the beautiful
Salvia formosa, and the fragrant Verbena triphylla, or, as
it ought to have been called, citrea. This last will be a
222 D O JVI B E Y.
*' monumentum sere perennins" with those who shall ever
know his history. What had been given him for his own
use hy the vice-roy of the Brasils, underwent the same
treatment as the rest. Finally, he was required to fix a
price upon the sad remains of his collections, which, as a
great part was French national property, it was obvious he
could not do. He remained at Cadiz, without money and
without friends. His only hope was that he might here-
after publish his discoveries, so as to secure some benefit
to the world and some honour to himself. But this last
consolation was denied him. Anxious to revisit his native
land, he would have compounded for his liberty with the
loss of all but his manuscripts ; but he was not allowed to
depart until his persecutors had copied all those manu-
scripts, and bound him by a written promise never to pub-
lish any thing till the return of his travelling companions.
In the mean while, those very companions were detained
by authority in Peru; and in after-times the original bo-
tanical descriptions of Dombey have, many of them, ap-
peared verbatim, without acknowledgment, in the pompous
Flora of Peru and Chili, which thence derives a great part
of its value. Thus chagrined and oppressed, the unhappy
Dombey sunk into despair, till, no longer useful or for-
midable to his oppressors, he was allowed to return, with
such parts of his collections as they condescended to leave
him, to Paris.
There our countryman Dr. Smith knew him in 1786 ;
no longer the handsome lively votary of pleasure, nor even
the ardent enthusiastic cultivator of science, but presenting
the sallow, silent, melancholy aspect of depression and
disappointment. He chiefly associated with his faithful
friends, Le Monnier and Thouin, and in their society bo-
tanical converse still retained its charms. To the contents
of his own collection, which, however injured and dimi-
nished, was still a very interesting one, he paid little atten-
tion. Bound by his promise, his high sense of honour
would not let him make the proper use of it, but at length
he was induced to part with it to M. de Buffon, who nobly
exerted himself so as to procure from government a pen-
sion of 6000 livres for Dombey, and 60,000 livres to pay
his debts. The herbarium was confided to M. L'Heritier,
with orders to publish its contents. This was no sooner
known at Madrid, than interest was made by that court to
defeat the measure, and the court of Versailles was not
D O M B E Y. 223
in a condition to dispute even so unjust and politically
unimportant a requisition from that quarter. Buffon had
orders to withdraw the herharium, but L'Heritier on the
first alarm had taken it over to London, and Dr. Smith
with his lamented friend Broussonet, and his draughtsman
Redoute", were alone entrusted with the secret. Happy
and safe in a land of liberty and science, L'Heritier re-
mained about fifteen months devoted to the prosecution of
his object, chiefly under the hospitable roof of '.is friend
sir Joseph Banks.
After his return, he had determined to retire to a peace-
ful retreat at the foot of Mount Jura, where he had a friend
devoted to the love and cultivation of plants. His pecu-
niary circumstances were now easy, and he resigned his
fatal celebrity without regret. He broke oft' all scientific
communication, except with M. Pavon, one of his fellow-
labourers in Peru, and who had all along been innocent of
the execrable machinations against his honour and his
peace. He refused a place in the French academy of
sciences, as well as a large pecuniary offer from the em-
press of Russia for the duplicates of his collection, saying,
" he was not in want of money, and he had most pleasure
in distributing his specimens amongst his friends." Re-
siding at Lyons for some time, in his way towards Switzer-
land, he had the misfortune to be present during the siege
of that town ; but sickening at the sight of public miseries
on every side, he procured a commission to visit North
America, in order to purchase corn from the United States,
and to fulfil some other objects of public importance, es-
pecially relating to science and commerce. A tempest
obliged him to take shelter at Guadaloupe, but that island
being, like the mother country, in a state of revolution, he
narrowly escaped with his life, and after much barbarous
treatment, was ordered to quit the colony in the American
vessel in which he came. That vessel was no sooner out
of the harbour, than it was attacked by two privateers, and
taken. Dombey, disguised as a Spanish sailor, was thrown
into a prison in the island of Montserrat, where ill-treat,
ment, mortification, and disease, put a period to his life
on the 19th of February, 1796. '
DOMENICHINO, or DOMENICO ZAMPIERI,a very
much admired artist, was born at Bologna in 1581, and
* O '
1 R«es's Cyclopaedia,
224. D O M E N I C H I N O.
received his first instruction in the art of painting, from
Denis Calvart ; but afterwards he became a disciple of the
Caracci, and continued in that school for a long time.
The great talents of Domenichino did not unfold them-
selves as early in him, as talents much inferior to his have
disclosed themselves in other painters; he was studious,
thoughtful, and circumspect; which by some writers, as
well as by his companions, was misunderstood, and mis-
called dullness. But the intelligent Annibal Caracci, who
observed his faculties with more attention, and knew his
abilities better, testified of Domenichino, that his apparent
slowness of parts at present, would in time produce what
would be an honour to the art of painting. He persevered
in the study of his art with incredible application and at-
tention, and daily made rapid advances. Some writers
contend that his thoughts were judicious from the begin-
ning, and they were afterwards elevated, wanting but little
of reaching the sublime; and that whoever will consider
the composition, the design, and the expression, in his
Adam and Eve, his Communion of St. Jerom, and in that
admirable picture of the Death of St. Agnes at Bologna,
will readily perceive that they must have been the result
of genius, as well as of just reflections ; but Mr. De Piles
says he is in doubt whether Domenichino had any genius
or not. That ingenious writer seems willing to attribute
every degree of excellence in Domenichino's performances,
to labour, or fatigue, or good sense, or any thing but ge-
nius ; yet, says Pilkington, how any artist could (accord-
ing to his own estimate in the balance of painters) be on
an equality with the Caracci, Nicolo Poussin, and Lio-
nardo da Vinci, in composition and design, and superior
to them all by several degrees in expression, and also ap-
proach near to the sublime, without having a genius, or
even without having an extraordinary good one, seems to
me not easily reconcileable. If the productions of an artist
must always be the best evidence of his having or wanting
a genius, the compositions of Domenichino must ever
afford sufficient proofs in his favour. The same biographer
says, that as to correctness of design, expression of the
passions, and also the simplicity and variety, in the airs of
his heads, he is allowed to be little inferior to Raphael ;
yet his attitudes are but moderate, his draperies rather
stiff, and his pencil heavy. However, as he advanced in
years and experience, he advanced proportionably in,
D O M E N I C H I N O. 22*
merit, and the latest of his compositions are his best.
There is undoubtedly in the works of this eminent master,
what will always claim attention and applause, what will
for ever maintain his reputation, and place him among the
number of the most excellent in the art of painting. One
of the chief excellences of Domenichino consisted in his
painting landscapes; and in that style, the beauty arising
from the natural and simple elegance of his scenery, his
trees, his well- broken grounds, and in particular the cha-
racter and expression of his figures, gained him as much!
public admiration as any of his other performances.
The Communion of St. Jerom, and the Adam and Eve,
are too well known to need a description ; and they are
universally allowed to be capital works, especially in the
expression. In the Palazzo della Torre, at Naples, there
is a picture of Domenichino, representing a dead Christ,
on the Knees of the Virgin, attended by Mary Magdalen
and others. The composition of this picture is very good,
and the design simple and true ; the head of the Magdalen
is full of expression, the character excellent, and the co-
louring tolerable ; but in other respects, the penciling is
dry, and there is more of coldness than of harmony in the
tints. But in the church of St. Agnes, at Bologna, is an
altar piece which is considered as one of the most accom-
plished performances of this master, and shews the taste,
judgment, and genius of this great artist in a true light.
The subject is, the Martyrdom of St. Agnes ; and the de-
sign is extremely correct, without any thing of manner.
The head qf the saint hath an expression of grief, mixed
with hope, that is wonderfully noble ; and he hath given
her a beautiful character. There are three female figures
grouped on the right, which are lovely, with an uncom-
mon elegance in their forms, admirably designed, and
with a tone of colour that is beautiful. Their dress, and
particularly the attire of their heads, is ingenious and
simple ; one of this master's excellences consisting in that
part of contrivance : in short, it is finely composed, and
unusually well penciled ; though the general tone of the
colouring partakes a little of the greenish cast, and the
shadows are rather too dark, yet that darkness may pro-
bably have been occasioned or increased by time. Such
is the opinion of Pilkington, but it is time now to attend
to that of more authorized criticism. " Expression," says
Mr. Fuseli, " which hud languished after the demise of
VOL. XiJU Q
226 D O M E N I C H I N O.
RafTaello, seemed to revive in Domenidiino ; but his sen-
sibility was not supported by equal comprehension, ele-
vation of mind, or dignity of motive. His sentiments want
propriety, he is a mannerist in feeling, and tacks the
imagery of Theocritus to the subjects of Homer. A de-
tail of petty, though amiable conceptions is rather calcu-
lated to diminish than inforce the energy of a pathetic
whole. A lovely child taking refuge in the lip or bosorn
of a lovely mother, is an idea of nature, and pleasing in a
lowly, pastoral, or domestic subject ; but perpetually re-
curring, becomes common-place, and amid the terrors of
martyrdom, is a shred sewed to a purple robe. In touching
the characteristic circle that surrounds the Ananias of Raf-
faello, you touch the electric chain, a genuine spark in-
sensibly darts from the last as from the first, penetrates
mul subdues. At the martyrdom of St. Agnes, by Dome-
nichino, you saunter amid the adventitious mob of a lane,
where the silly chat of neighbour gossips announces a
topic as silly, till you find with indignation, that instead
of a broken pot, or a petty theft, you are witness to a scene
for which heaven opens and angels descend.
" It is, however, but justice to observe that there is a
subject in which Domenichino has not unsuccessfully
copied, and perhaps even excelled RafTaello. I mean that
of the Cure of the demoniac boy, among the series of fres-
coes painted by him at Grotto Ferrata. That inspired
figure is evidently the organ of an internal preternatural
agent, darted upward without contortion, and even con-
sidered without any connexion with the story, never can
be confounded with a mere tumultuary distorted maniac ;
which is not perhaps the case of the boy in the Trans-
figuration ; the subject, too, being within the range of
Domenichino's powers, a domestic one, the whole of the
persons introduced is characteristic. Awe of the saint who
operates the miracle, and terror at the redoubled fury of
the son at his approach, mark the rustic father : confidence,
serene activity, and fervent prayer, the saint and his com-
panion : nor could the agonizing female with the child,
as she is the mother, be exchanged to advantage ; here
she properly occupies that place which the fondling females
in the pictures of St. Sebastian, St. Andrew, and St. Agnes,
only usurp.
" It has been said Domenichino's invention was inferior
to his other parts. The picture of the * Rosario,' now in
D O M E N I C H I N O. 227
the gallery of the Louvre, is adduced as a proof; an idea
neither then nor now understood by the public, disapproved
of by his most partial friends, and of which he repented
himself; in the most celebrated of his works, the Commu-
nion of St. Jerome, he imitated Agostino, and in the alms-
scene of ' St. Cecilia,' the ' St. Rocco' of Annibale Caracci.
But from the Triumph of the < Rosary,' the most brilliant
fanc_y will i licit little more than splendid confusion ; in the
' St. Jerome,' if the arrangement and the postures are imi-
tated, the characters are invented ; what he owes to Anni-
bale in the Chanties of St. Cecilia, is less than what Anni-
bale owes to Raffaello in his ' Genus unde Latinum ;' and
is amply compensated by the original beauties of St. Ce-
cilia before the Praetor. Domenichino was what few men
of genius are, a good master. The best of his Roman
scholars were Antonio Barbalunzaof Messina, and Andrew
Camassei of Bevagna. - The first copied and imitated his
master with sufficient success, and sometimes to a degree
of deception. The second, more timid and less select,
had nature and a grand style of colour."
Domenichino was made the chief architect of the apos-
tolical palace by pope Gregory XV. for his great skill in
that art. He was likewise very well versed in the theory
of music, but not successful in the practice. He loved
solitude ; and it was observed, that, as he went along the
streets, he took notice of the actions of private persons he
met, and often designed something in his pocket-book.
He was of a mild temper and obliging carriage, yet had
the misfortune to find enemies in all places wherever he
came. At Naples, particularly, he was so ill treated by
those of his own profession, that, having agreed among
themselves to disparage all his works, they would hardly
allow him to be a tolerable master : and they were not
content with having frighted him for some time from that
city, but afterwards, upon his return thither, never left
persecuting him, till by their tricks and vexations they had
wearied him out of his life. He died in 1641, not without
the suspicion of poison. l
DOMINIC (DE GUZMAN), a Saint of the Romish calen-
dar, founder of the order of the Dominicans, and as some
say, of that horrible engine of tyranny, the Inquisition, was
born in 1170, at Calarogo, in old Castille, in the diocese
1 Argenville, vol. II. — Pilkinytan.
Q 2
223 DOMINIC.
of Osma. He was of the family of the Guzmans, and edu-
cated at first under a priest, his uncle ; but at fourteen
years, was sent to the public schools of Palentia, where
he became a great proficient in rhetoric, philosophy, and
divinity, and was also distinguished by austere mortifica-
tions and charity to the poor. When he had finished his
studies and taken his degrees, he explained the Holy
Scriptures in the schools, and preached at Palentia. In
1198 he was made a canon of Osma. After five years he
accompanied the bishop of Osma on an embassy to the earl
of La Marche, and in his journey was grievously afflicted
to behold the spread of what he called heresy among the
Albigenses, and conceived the design of converting them,
and at first appears to have used only argument, accom-
panied with the deception of pretended miracles ; but find-
ing these unsuccessful, joined the secular power in a bloody
crusade against the Albigenses, which he encouraged by
prayers and miracles. During these labours, he instituted
the devotion of the Rosary, consisting of fifteen Pater
Hosiers, and an hundred and fifty Ave Marias, in honour
of the fifteen principal mysteries of the life and sufferings
of Christ, and of the virgin Mary, which our saint thought
the people might be made to honour by this foolish expe-
dient. In 1206 he founded the nunnery of our lady of
Prouille, near Faujaux, which he put under* the rule of
St. Austin, and afterwards established an institute called
his third order, some of the members of which live in
monasteries, and are properly nuns ; others live in their
own houses, adding religious to civil duties, and serving
the poor in hospitals and prisons.
St. Dominic had spent ten years in preaching in Lan-
guedoc, when, in 1215, he founded the celebrated order of
preaching friars, or Dominicans, as they were afterwards
called. The same year it was approved of by Innocent III.
and confirmed in 1216, by a bull of Honorius III. under
the title of St. Augustin ; to which Dominic added several
austere precepts and observances, obliging the brethren to
tuke a vow of absolute poverty, and to abandon entirely all
their revenues and possessions; and they were called
preaching friars, because public instruction was the main
end of their institution. The first convent was founded at
Tholouse by the bishop thereof, and Simon de Montfort.
Two years afterwards they had another at Paris, near the
bishop's house ; and iome time after, viz. in 1218, a third
D O M I N I C» 229
in the rue St Jaques, St. James's- street, whence the deno-
mination of Jacobins. Just before his death, Dominic sent
Gilbert de Fresney, with twelve of the brethren, into Eng-
land, where they founded their first monastery at Oxford,
in 1221, and soon after another at London. In 1276, the
mayor and aldermen of the city of London gave them two
whole streets by the river Thames, where they erected a
very commodious convent, whence that place is still called
Black Friars, from the name by which the Dominican?
were called in England. St. Dominic, at first, only took
the habit of the regular canons, that is, a black cassock,
and rochet; but this he quited in 1219, for that which
they now wear, which, it is pretended, was shewn by the
blessed Virgin herself to the beatiiied Renaud d'Orleans.
This order is diffused throughout the whole known world.
It has forty-five provinces under the general, who resides
at Rome ; and twelve particular congregations, or reforms,
governed by vicars-general. They reckon three popes of
this order, above sixty cardinals, several patriarchs, a hun-
dred and fifty archbishops, and about eight hundred
bishops ; beside masters of the sacred palace, whose office
has been constantly discharged by a religious of this order,
ever since St. Dominic, who held it under Honorius III. in
1218. The Dominicans are also inquisitors in many places.
Of all the monastic orders, none enjoyed a higher degree
of power and authority than the Dominican friars, whose
credit was great and their influence universal. Nor will
this appear surprising, when we consider that they filled
very eminent stations in the church, presided every where
over the terrible tribunal of the inquisition, and had the
care of souls, with the function of confessors in all the
courts of Europe, which circumstance, in those times of
ignorance and superstition, manifestly tended to put most
of the European princes in their power. But the measures
they used, in order to maintain and extend their authority,
were so perfidious and cruel, that their influence began tq
decline towards the beginning of the sixteenth century.
The tragic story of Jetzer, conducted at Bern in 1501), for
determining the uninteresting dispute between them and
the Franciscans, relating to the immaculate conception,
will reflect indelible infamy on this order. They were in-
deed perpetually employed in stigmatizing with the oppro-
brious name of heresy numbers of learned and pious men ;
in encroaching upon the rights and properties of others, to
230 DOMINIC.
augment their possessions ; and in laying the most ini-
quitous snares and stratagems for the destruction of their
adversaries. They were the principal counsellors, by
whose instigation and advice LeoX. was determined to the
public condemnation of Luther. The papal see never had
more active and useful abettors than this order and that of
the Jesuits. The dogmata of the Dominicans are usually
opposite to those of the Franciscans. They concurred with
the Jesuits in maintaining, that the sacraments have in
themselves an instrumental and official powe". , by virtue of
which they work in the soul (independently of its previous
preparation or propensities) a disposition to receive the di-
vine grace ; and this is what is commonly called the opus
operatum of the sacraments. Thus, according to their
doctrine, neither knowledge, wisdom, humility, faith, nor
devotion, are necessary to the efficacy of the sacraments,
whose victorious energy nothing but a mortal sin can resist.
After establishing this important order, St Dominic, who
had deservedly become a favourite at the court of Rome,
was detained for several months to preach in that city ; and
by his advice the pope created the new office, already
mentioned, that of master of the sacred palace, who is by
virtue of this office the pope's domestic theologian or chap-
lain ; and St. Dominic was appointed to it. It has ever
since been held by one of his order. The rest of his his-
tory at Rome consists of his miracles, and may well be
spared. In 1218 he took a journey from Rome through
Languedoc into Spain, and founded two convents ; thence
he went in 1219 to Toulouse and Paris, at which last place
he founded his convent in St. James's-street, whence his
order were called Jacobins, and inhabited a house since
memorable in the history of the French revolution. After
this, and the foundation of other convents, he arrived at
Bologna, where he principally resided during tiie remain-
der of his life, which ended August 6, 1221. He was
canonized by pope Gregory IX. in 1234.
Butler observes that St. Dominic hau no hand in the ori-
gin of the inquisition, tiiough he owns, that the project of
this court was first formed in a council of Toulouse iu 1.29,
and that in 1233, two Dominican friars were the first in-
quisitors. Modern protestant historians seem inclined to
concede that, although St. Dominic was an inquisitor, it
was not in the most offensive sense of the word. Tins,
however, will not excuse his tyranny towards the Albi-
DOMINIC. 231
genses, and if he did not invent the inquisition, he at least
must be allowed the honour of inventing the rosary, a
species of mechanical devotion which has done infinite
mischief. !
DOMINICO. See BURCHIELLO.
DOM1NIS (MARK ANTONY DE), archbishop of Spalato
in Dalmatia, was born about 1561, at Arba, and educated
at Padua. He was remarkable for a fickleness in religious
matters, which at length proved his ruin ; otherwise he
was a man of great abilities and learning. He was entered
eariy amongst the Jesuits, but left that society to be bishop
of Segni, and afterwards archbishop of Spalato ; but in-
stead of growing more firmly attached to the church of
Rome on account of his preferment, he became ever}7 day
more and more disaffected to it. This induced him to
write his famous books " De Republica Ecclesiastica,"
which were afterwards printed in London; and in which
he aimed a capital blow at the papal power. These books
were read over and corrected, before publication, by our
bishop Bedell, who was then at Venice in quality of chap-
lain to sir Henry Wotton, ambassador there from James I.
De Dominis coming to Venice, and hearing a high charac-
ter of Bedell, readily discovered his secret, and commui-
cated his copy to him. Bedell took the freedom he allowed
him, of correcting many improper applications of texts in
scripture, and quotations of fathers : for that prelate,
being ignorant of the Greek tongue (a common thing in
those days even amongst the learned), had committed
many mistakes both in the one and the other. De Do-
minis took all this in very good part, entered into great
familiarity with Bedell, and declared his assistance so use-
ful, and indeed so necessary to him, that he could, as he
used to say, do nothing without him.
When Bedell returned to England, Dominis came over
with him, and was at first received by the English clergy
with all possible marks of respect. Here he preached and
wrote against the Romish religion, and the king gave him
the deanery of Windsor, the mastership of the Savoy, and
the rich living of West Ildesley in Berkshire. De Do-
minis' s view seems to have been to reunite the Romish
and English churches, which he thought might easily be
1 Butler's Lives of the Saints.— JWosheim's and Milner's EccJ. Hist. — Morc/i,
—Fabric. Bib). Lat. Med.
232 D O M I N I S.
effected, by reforming some abuses and superstitions in
the former; "and then," Grotius says, "he imagined,
the religion of protestants and catholics would be the
same." After he had staid in England some years, he was
made to believe, upon the promotion of pope Gregory
XIV. who had been his school-fellow and an old acquaint-
ance, that the pope intended to give him a cardinal's hat,
and to make use of him in all affairs ; so that he fancied
he should be the instrument of a great reformation in the
church. This snare wa* laid for him chiefly by the artifice
of Gondemar, the Spanish ambassador ; and his own am-
bition and vanity (of both which he had a share) made him
easily fall into it. Accordingly he returned to Rome in
1622, where he abjured his errors in a very solemn man-
ner. He was at first, it is said, well received by the pope
himself; but happening to say of cardinal Bellarmine, who
had written against him, that he had not answered his ar-
guments, he was complained of to the pope, as if he had
been still of the same mind as when he published his books.
He excused himself, and said, that though Bellarmine
had not answered his arguments, yet he did not say they
were unanswerable ; and he offered to answer them him-
self, if they would allow him time for it. This imprudent
way of talking, together with the discovery of a correspond-
ence which he held with some protestants, furnished a
sufficient plea for seizing him ; and he was thrown into
prison, where he died in 1625. It was discovered after
his death, that his opinions were not agreeable to the doc-
trine of the church of Rome ; upon which his corpse was
dug up, and burnt with his writings in Flora's Field, by a
decree of the inquisition.
Besides his work, " De Republica Ecclesiastica," 3 vols.
fol. he was author of a work in optics, which obtained the
applause of the illustrious sir I. Newton, and which is en-
titled " De Radiis Visus & Lucis in Vitris perspectives et
Iride Tractatus." Our great philosopher complimented
the author of this tract so far as to declare, that he was the
first person who had explained the phenomena of the co-
lours of the rainbow. He wrote also, 1. " Dominis suae
profectionis a Venetiis consilium exponit," London, 1616,
4to, and published in English the same year. 2. " Predica
fatta, la prima Domenica dell' Avvento 1617, in Londra
nella Capella delta delli Mercian," Lond. 1617, 12mo,
published in English the same year, 4to. 3. " Sui Re-
D O M I N I S. 233
tiitus in Anglia consiliura exponit," Rome, 1623, 4to, and
in English the same year. 4. " De pace regionis, Epistola
ad Josephum Hallum," 1666, 4to. We are also indebted
to him for father Paul's " History of the Council of
Trent," the manuscript of which lie procured for arch-
bishop Abbot.1
DONALDSON (JOHN), an artist and author, was born
at Edinburgh in 1737 ; his father was a glover in rather
low circumstances, but of a speculative turn of mind, and
much addicted to metaphysical reveries, of which his son
unfortunately inherited a double portion, and without his
father's prudence, who never suffered his abstractions to
interfere with his business. While a child, young Donald-
son was constantly occupied in copying every object be-
fore him with chalk on his father's cutting-board, which,
was often covered with his infant delineations. This natu-
ral determination of the mind was encouraged by the father,
and at the age of twelve or thirteen, his son had acquired
some reputation as a drawer of miniature portraits in Indian
ink, and was by these efforts enabled to contribute to the
support of his parents. At the same time he was much
admired for his skilfil imitations of the ancient engravers,
which he executed with a pen so correctly, as sometimes
to deceive the eye of a connoisseur. After passing several
years in Edinburgh, he came to London, and for some
time pai.ited portraits in miniature with much success ;
but unfortunately he now began to fancy that the taste,
policy, morals, and religion of mankind were all wrong,
and that he w is born to set them right. From this time his
profession became a secondary object, and whether from
jealousy or insanity, he used repeatedly to declare that sir
Joshua Reynolds must be a very dull fellow to devote his
life to the study of lines and tints. The consequence of
all this was that contemptuous neglect of business which
soon left him no business to mind. In the mean time he
employed his pen in various lucubrations, and published a
volume of poems, and an " Essay on the Elements of
Beauty," in both which merit was discoverable. Before
he took a disgust at his profession, he made an historical
drawing, the " Tent of Darius," which was honoured with
the prize given by the Society of Arts ; and also painted
1 Moreri. — Laruli Hi>-t. de la Literature rl'Italie, vol. V. — Burnet's Life of
Bedell, p. 10, 18. — Freheri Theatrum.— Saxii Onomabt.
214 DONALDSON.
two subjects in enamel, the " Death of Dido," and " Hero
and Leander," both which obtained prizes from the same
society, yet no encouragement could induce him to prose-
cute his art. Among his various pursuits he cultivated
chemistry, and discovered a method of preserving not only
vegetables of every kind, but the lean of meat, so as to
remain uncorrupted during the longest voyages. For this
discovery he obtained a patent; but want of money, and
perhaps his native indolence, and a total ignorance of the
affairs of life, prevented him from deriving any advantage
from it. The last twenty years of his life were years of
suffering. His eyes and business failing, he was not sel-
dom in want of the most common necessaries. His last
illness was occasioned by sleeping in a room which had
been lately painted. He was seized with a total debility ;
and being removed by the care of some friends to a lodging
at Islington, where he received every attention that his
case required, he expired Oct. 11, 1801, regretted bv all
who knew him as a man of singular and various endow-
ments, addicted to no vice, and of the utmost moderation,
approaching to abstemiousness; but unhappy in a turn of
mind too irregular for the business of life, and above the
considerations of prudence. Mr. Edwards attributes to
him an anonymous pamphlet entitled " Critical Observa-
tions and Remarks upon the public buildings of London."1
DONALDSON (WALTER), born at Aberdeen in Scot-
land, bore some rank among the learned men of the seven-
teenth century. He had been in the retinue and service
of David Cuningham, bishop of Aberdeen, and Peter Ju-
nius, great almoner of Scotland, when they went on an
embassy from king James to the court of Denmark, and to
the princes of Germany. After his return home, he went
to Heidelberg, where the famous Dionysius Gothofredus
taught the civil law. Donaldson, having there dictated to
some young students a short course of moral philosophy,
a young man of Riga in Livonia put the manuscript to
the press without his consent, but he seemed not dis-
pleased, and informs us of the several editions which were
made of that work in Germany, and in Great Britain,
under the title " Synopsis moralis philosophise." He was
afterwards professor of natural and moral philosophy, and
of the Greek tongue, in the university of Sedan, and was
« Gent. Mag. 1801. — Edwards's Supplement to Walpole.
DONALDSON. 2J5
principal of the college sixteen years ; after which he was
invited to open a college at Charenton ; but that establish-
ment was immediately opposed by law. Mot to remain
idle while the law-suit was depending, he set himself to
collect from among his papers the several parts of his
" Synopsis Oeconomica," wnich he got printed at Paris in
1620, in 8vo, and dedicated it to the prince of Wales. It
was reprinted at Rostoch, 1624, in Svo. That wherein he
reduced into common places, and under certain general
heads, all that lies scattered in Diogenes Laertius concern-
ing the same thing, was printed in Greek and Latin, at
Francfort, in 1612, under the title of " Synopsis Locorum
communium, in qua sapientiae human® imago repraesen-
tatur," &c. '
DONATELLO, or DONATO, one of the principal re-
vivers of sculpture in Italy, of an obscure family at Flo-
rence, was born in 1383. He learned design under Lo-
renzo de Bicci, and abandoning the old dry manner, he
was the first who gave his works the grace and freedom of
the productions of ancient Greece and Rome ; and Cosmo
de Medicis employed him on a tomb for pope John XXIII.
and in other works, both public and private. Cosmo also
availed himself of his taste and judgment in forming those
grand collections, which gave celebrity to Florence as the
parent of modern art. Amongst his performances in that
city are his Judith and Holofernes in bronze, his Annuncia-
tion, his St.. George and St. Mark, and his Zuccone, in one
of the niches of the Campanile at Florence ; all of which
are as perfect as the narrow principles upon which the art
was then conducted would allow. To these we may add
another excellent performance, his equestrian statue of
bronze at Padua, to the honour of their general Gallama-
lata. Conscious of the value of his performances, he ex-
claimed to a Genoese merchant, who had bespoke a head,
and estimated it by the number of days which it had em-
ployed the artist, " this man better knows how to bargain
for beans than for statues : — he shall not have my head ;"
and then dashed it to pieces : yet no man less regarded
money than Donatello. Cosmo at his death having re-
commended him to his son, the latter gave him an estate ;
but in a little while Donatello, who began to be plagued
with his farmers and agents, begged his benefactor to take
1 Eayle in Gen. Diet,
236 D O N A T E L L O.
it again, as he did not like the trouble of it. The gift was
resumed, and a weekly pension of the same value assigned
to the artist. He had no notion of hoarding; but it is
said that he deposited what he received in a basket, sus-
pended from a ceiling, from which his friends and work-
people might supply themselves at their pleasure. He
died in 1466, at the age of 83, and was buried in the
church of St. Lorenzo, near his friend Cosmo, that, as he
expressed himself, " his soul having been with him when
living, their bodies mio-ht be near each other when dead."
O * O
He left a son, named " Simon," who adopted his manner,
and acquired reputation. 1
DON ATI (VITALIANO), an eminent botanist, was born
at Padua in 1717, of a noble family, but addicted himself
to science, and under the ablest professors of the univer-
sity of his native city, studied medicine, natural history,
botany, and mathematics. After taking his doctor's degree
in medicine, he more particularly cultivated natural history,
and frequently went to Dalmatia in pursuit of curious spe-
cimens. In 1750 he published a small folio, with plates,
entitled " Delia Storia Naturale Marina dell' Adriatico,"
to which his friend Sesler subjoined the botanical history
of a plant named after him Vitaliana. This work was after-
wards translated into several languages. The same year,
he was appointed professor of natural history and botany
at Turin. After having travelled several times over the
maritime Alps, he undertook, by order of the king, an
expedition to the East Indies. Arriving at Alexandria, he
went thence to Cairo, and after visiting a considerable part
of Egypt, penetrated into those countries that were then
unknown to European travellers. On his return he died at
Bassora, of a putrid fever, in 1763. He had previously
packed up two cases of collections of natural history, and
two large volumes of observations made during his travels,
which were to be conveyed to Turin by the way of Lisbon ;
but at the latter place, it is said, they were kept a long
time, not without some suspicion of their having been
opened, &c. It is certain, however, that both the collec-
tions and the manuscripts were lost by some means or
other. Ferber, who gives some account of Donati in his
" Letters on Mineralogy," thinks he was not very remark-
1 Tiraboschi. — Eoscoe's Lorenzo de Modi*!. — Aglionby's Painting illus-
trated, p. 3C3. — Rees's Cyclops-ilia.
D O N A T I. 237
able for his botanical knowledge, but a first-rate connois-
seur in petrifactions, corals, zoophytes, and, in general,
in the knowledge of all marine bodies. He adds that his
enemies were zealous in their endeavours to injure his re-
putation ; affirming that he was still alive in Persia, where
he resided in disguise, and appropriated to his own use
the remittances that had been granted for the purposes of
his voyage, all which Ferber considers as a ridiculous fable.
After his death, was published his " Dissertation sur le
corail noir." *
DONATO (ALEXANDER), a Jesuit of Sienna, who died
at Rome April 1'3, 1640, published in that city in 1639,
in 4to, a description of ancient and modern Rome,
" Roma vetus & recens utriusque edificiis illustrata." It
is far more accurate and better composed than all those
that had been given before to the public. Grsevius has in-
serted it in the 3d volume of his Roman Antiquities. We
have likewise Latin poems of his, Cologne, 1631, 8vo, and
three books on the art of poetry. a
DONATO (BERNARDIN), a very learned scholar of the
sixteenth century, was born at Zano, a seat belonging to
the family of Nogarola, in the diocese of Verona in Italy.
He became professor of Greek and Latin at Padua, whence
he went to teach the same languages at Capo d'Istria, as
mentioned by Bembo in his letters. He taught also at
Parma, and there printed a Latin oration in 1532 on the
praises of Parma, and the study of classical literature,
" De laudibus Parmae et de studiis humanioribus." After
this he appears to have given lessons in the duchy of Fer-
rara, whence he returned and died in his own country,
much regretted as an accomplished scholar. He made the
Latin translation of the Evangelical Demonstration of Euse-
bius, which was magnificently printed, and afterwards used
in a Parisedition, Greek and Latin, but without noticing that
it was his. He translated also some pieces of Galen, Xe-
noplion, and Aristotle ; and was editor of the first Greek
edition of Chrysostom ; the first edition of QEcumenius ;
of Aretas on the Apocalypse ; two books of John Damas-
cenus on Faith; and superintended an edition of Macro-
bius and Censorinus. In 1540 he published " De Pldto-
nicae, et Aristotelicae philosophise, differentia," Venice, 8vo,
1 Diet. Hist. — Mon'h. Rev. vol. LV.
* Moreri, — Baiilet Jugemens. — Saxii Onoaiast,
238 D O N A T O.
but this was a posthumous work, if according to Saxius, he
died in 1 540. l
DO NATO (JEROM), a nobleman of Venice, who died
in the beginning of the sixteenth century, was very useful
to his country ; served it as a commander more than once ;
and was, in 1510, the means of reconciling that republic
and pope Julius II. though he had the misfortune to he
carried off by a violent fever at Rome in 1513, before the
treaty was concluded between them. He was also a man
of learning ; and published a translation of " Alexander
Aphrodiseus de Anima." His letters are likewise well
written ; which made Erasmus say of him, that he was ca-
pable of any literary exertion, if his mind had not been
dissipated by other employments. Pierius Valerianus has
placed him in the list of unfortunate learned men, for
which he gives three reasons : first, because his domestics
obeyed him ill ; secondly, because he did not live to see
the happiness, which would arise to his country from the
conclusion of his treaty ; thirdly, because a great many
books, which he had written to immortalize kis name, re-
mained unpublished. We have not much reason, hovever,
for thinking that any of these misfortunes gave him much
uneasiness. An ingenious reply is, we know not upon
what authority, attributed to him, when ambassador from
Venice to pope Julius II. who asked him for the title of the
claims of his republic to the sovereignty of the Adriatic.
" Your holiness will find the concession of the Adriatic,"
said he to the pontiff, " at the back of the original record
of Constantine's donation to pope Sylvester, of the city of
Rome and the other territories of the church." A bold
answer, when we consider how dangerous it was to dispute
the authenticity of this writ of donation, insomuch that, in
1478, several persons were condemned to the flames at
Strasburg for expressing their doubts of it.
Much additional information respecting Donate is given
by our countryman Mr. Greswell, who says that " he
united in his character whatever could adorn the scholar
and the gentleman ;" and that " with a well-cultivated
understanding, great political experience, and a profound
knowledge of the interests of the state, he combined very
elegant manners, and the most captivating address ; all
1 Moreri,— Maffei Verona illustrata. — Saxii Onomasticon,
f D O N A T U S. 239
which advantages were heightened by a majestic stature
and deportment, and every personal accomplishment."1
DONATUS, bishop of Casae Nigrae in Numidia, is re-
garded by some as the author of the sect of the Donatists,
which took its rise in the year 311, from the following
circumstance. Cecilianus having been chosen to succeed
Mensurius in the episcopal chair of Carthage, the election
was contested by a powerful party, headed by a lady
named Lucilla, and two priests, Brotus and Celestius,
who had themselves been candidates for the disputed see.
They caused Majorinus to be elected, under pretence that
the ordination of Cecilianus was null, as having, according
to them, been performed by Felix, bishop of Aptonga,
whom they accused of being a traditor; that is, of having
delivered to the pagans the sacred books and vessels during
the persecution, and was therefore unfit to bestow conse-
cration. The African bishops were divided, and Donatus
headed the partisans of Majorinus. In the mean time, the
affair being brought before the emperor, he referred the
judgment to three bishops of Gaul, Maternus of Cologne,
Reticius of Autun, and Marinus of Arles,r conjointly with
the pope Miltiades. These prelates, in a council held at
Rome in 313, composed of fifteen Italian bishops, in
which Cecilianus and Donatus appeared, each with ten
bishops of their party, decided in favour of Cecilianus ;
but the division soon being renewed, the Donatists were
again condemned by the council of Aries in 3)4; and
lastly by an edict of Constantine, of the month of Novem-
ber 316. Donatus, who was returned to Africa, there
received the sentence of deposition and of excommunica-
tion pronounced against him by pope Miltiades. 2
DONATUS, bishop of Carthage, has likewise the credit
of having given the name to the sect of Donatists, founded
it is said, by the former, but which took its name from this
Donatus, as being the more considerable man of the two.
He maintained, that though the three persons in the
trinity were of the same substance, yet the son was in-
ferior to the father, and the holy ghost to the son. He
began to be known about the year 329, and greatly con-
firmed his faction by his character and writings. He was
a man of great parts and learning ; but of greater pride.
1 Greswell's Mam. of Politianus, &c.— Moreri. — Diet, Hist. — Gen. Diet— -
Tiraboschi. 8 Dupin.— Mosbeim.— Aliluer's Ch. Hist. vol. II. p. 47.
240 D O N A T U S.
He did not spare even the emperors themselves ; for when
Paulus and Macarius were sent by Constans with presents
to the churches of Africa, and with alms to relieve the
poor, he received them in the most reproachful manner,
rejected their presents with scorn, and asked in a kind of
fury, " What had the emperor to do with the church ?"
He was banished from Carthage about the year 356, ac-
cording to Jerom, and died in exile : though authors are
not agreed as to the precise time either of his banishment
or of his death. The emperors were obliged to issue
many severe edicts to restrain the fury and intemperance
of this very factious sect. The Donatists had a great
number of bishops and laity of their party; some of whom
distinguished themselves by committing outrages upon
those who differed from them. They had a maxim which
they firmly maintained upon all occasions, " That the
church was every where sunk and extinguished, excepting
in the small remainder amongst themselves in Africa." They
also affirmed baptism in other churches to be null, and of
no effect; while other churches allowed it to be valid in
theirs ; from which they inferred, that it was the safer to
join that community where baptism was acknowledged
by both parties to be valid, than that where it was allowed
to be so only by one.
Notwithstanding the severities they suffered, it appears
that they had a very considerable number of churches,
towards the close of the fourth century ; and could number
among them no less than 400 bishops; but at this time
they began to decline, on account of a schism among
themselves, occasioned by the election of two bishops, in
the room of Parmenian, the successor of Donatus; one
party elected Primian, and were called Primianists, and
another Maximian, and were called Maximianists. The
decline was also precipitated by the zealous opposi-
tion of St. Augustin, and by the violent measures which
were pursued against them by order of the emperor Ho-
norius, at the solicitation of two councils held at Carthage;
the one in the year 404, and the other in the year 411.
Many of them were fined, their bishops were banisiied,
and some put to death. This sect revived and multiplied
under the protection of the Vandals, who invadi d Africa
in the year 427, and took possession of this province ; but
it sunk again under new severities, when their empire was
overturned in the year 534. Nevertheless, they remained
D O N A T U S. 241
in a separate body till the close of the sixth century, when
Gregory, the Roman pontiff, used various methods for sup-
pressing them ; and there are few traces to be found of
the Donatists after this period. They were distinguished
by other appellations ; as Circumce/liones, Montenses, or
mountaineers, Campites, Rupites, &c. They held three
councils, or conciliabules ; one at Cirta, in Numidia, and
two at Carthage.1
DONATUS (vEuus), a celebrated grammarian in the
fourth century, wrote a grammar, which long continued in
the schools, and notes upon Terence and Virgil. Vossius
mentions him amongst his Latin historians, on account of
the lives of Virgil and Terence, of which some have fan-
cied him to be the author ; but he believes that the first
was written by Tiberius Claudius Donatus, as it is certain
the latter was by Suetonius. Our Donatus flourished in
the time of Constantius, and taught rhetoric and polite
literature at Rome with applause, in the year 356, and
afterwards ; about which time St. Jerom, who has several
times mentioned him as his master, studied grammar under
him. Jerom also speaks of his commentaries upon Terence
and Virgil ; and in his own commentary upon the first
chapter of the book of Ecclesiastes, verse 9th, he quotes
a verse out of Terence, and then an observation of his
master Donatus upon it, which was probably made yi his
lectures, as it does not now appear in the notes of Do-
natus upon Terence. Donatus has given ample employ-
ment to the Bibliographers, who all speak of the " Editio
Tabellaris, sine ulla nota" of his Grammar, as one of the
first efforts at printing by means of letters cut on wooden
blocks. This work has been printed with several titles,
as " Donatus," " Donatus minor," " Donatus pro pue-
rulis," &c. ; but the work is the same, viz. Elements of
the Latin language for the use of children. Dr. Clarke
has given an account of twelve editions, all of great rarity,
one of which, by Wynkyn de Worde, is described by Mr.
Dibdin. His " Commentarii in quinque Comujclias Te-
rentii," was first printed without a date, probably before
1460, and reprinted in 1471, 1476; and his " Commen-
tarius in Virgilium," fol. was printed at Venice in 1529.*
1 Dupin — Mosheim. — Milner's Ch. Hist. vol. II. p. 47.
2 Vossius. — Fabric. Bibl. Lat. — Lardner. — Dibditi's Typographical Antiqui-
ties, vol. 11. — Clarke's Bibliographical Dictionary,
VOL. XII. R
S42 D O N D E.
DONDE, or DONDUS (JAMES), a famous physician
of Padua, surnamed Aggregator, on account of the great
quantity of remedies he had made, was not less versed in
mathematics than in medicine. He invented a clock of a
new construction, which shewed not only the hours of the
day and night, the days of the month, and the festivals of
the year, but also the annual course of the sun, and that
of the moon. The success of this invention got him the
appellation of Horologius, a name ever afterwards re-
tained hy the family. It was likewise Dondus who first
found out the secret of making salt from the waters of
Albano, in the Pacluan, which is described in a posthu-
mous treatise, " De fluxu et refluxu Maris," 1571. He
died in 1350, leaving several works in physics and medi-
cine. We have by him : " Promptuarium medicinae,"
Venice, 1481, folio; and in company with John de Don-
dis, his son, " De fontibus calidis Patavini agri," in a
treatise " De Balneis," Venice, 1553, folio. *
DONDUCCI (GEORGE ANDREW), a Bolognese artist,
born in 1575, was called II Mastelletta, from his father's
trade, that of a pail-maker; and seems to have been born
a painter. He was a pupil of the Caracci, but did not
attend to their suggestions on the necessity of acquiring a
competent foundation for drawing, and contrived to catch
the eye by a more compendious method ; surrounding a
splendid centre by impenetrable darkness, which absorbed
every trace of outline. It is probable that his success
greatly contributed to encourage that set of painters dis-
tinguished by the name of Tenebrosi, shade-hunters, so
numerous afterwards in the Venetian and Lombard schools.
Donducci was distinguished, though not by correctness,
by a great spirit of design, a sufficient imitation of Parmi-
giano, whom he exclusively admired, and a certain native
facility which enabled him to colour the largest dimen-
sions of canvas in a little time. He failed in his attempts
at changing this manner, as he grew older and more im-
patient of the praise bestowed on an open style. Light,
BO longer supported by obscurity, served only to expose
his weakness ; and the two miracles of S. Domenico, in
the church of that saint, which had been considered as his
master-pieces, became by alteration the meanest of his
works. The same diversity of manner is observable in his
smaller pictures ; those of the first, such as the Miracle of
1 Moreri.— Mangel. — Haller's Bibl. Mci Pract
D O N D U C C I. 24S
tJie Manna, in the Spada palace, are as highly valuable as
his landscapes, which in many galleries would be taken for
works of the Caracci, were they not discriminated by that
original shade that stamps the genuine style of Mastelletta.
The time of his death is not ascertained.1
DONEAU (HUGH), in Latin Donellus, one of the most
learned civilians of the sixteenth century, was born at
Chalons on the Saone, in 1537. His school-master had
so disheartened nim by severity, that neither threats nor
promises could make him remain in school. But at last,
being afraid he should be placed in a menial situation, he
applied more diligently to his studies. He learned civil
law at Toulouse, under the professors John Corrasius and
Arnold du Ferrier, who had no less than four thousand
auditors. He was admitted to the decree of D. C. L. at
o
Bourges, in 1551, and professed that science in the same
city with Duaren, Hotman, and Cujacius, and afterwards
at Orleans. He was very near being killed in the mas-
sacre of 1572, because he was a protestant ; and could
not have escaped the violence of the murtherers, if some
of his scholars, who were Germans by nation, had not
saved him by disguising him in a German dress, as one of
their domestics. He had embraced the reformation whea
rery young, at the instigation of his sister. He staid some
time at Geneva, and afterwards he went into the palati-
nate, where he taught the civil law in the university of
Heidelbergh. He was invited to Leyden in 1575, to take
upon him the same employment, which he accepted and
discharged in a worthy manner, but baring imprudently
engaged himself in some political disputes, he was forced
to leave Holland in 1588. He returned to Germany, and
was professor of law at Altorf until his death, May 4, 1 591.
He had so happy a memory, that he knew the whole Cor-
pus Juris by heart. His works, most of which had been
published separately, were collected under the title , of
" Commentaria de jure civili," 5 vols. folio, reprinted at
Lucca, 12 vols. folio, of which the last appeared in 1770.
2. " Opera Posthuma," 8vo. The most valuable of his
writings, is his book on the subject of last wills and tes-
taments, which he is said to have treated with great learn-
ing and precision.8
1 Pilkington, edit. 1810.
8 Gen. Diet. — Niceion, vol. XXXIIT.— Moreri. — Freheil Tbeatrum. — Bur»
»an's Syllog* Epistolamm, — Saxii Onomast.
ft 2
244 DON I.
DONI (ANTHONY FRANCIS), a Florentine, first a monk
and then a secular priest, died in 1574, at the age of sixty-
one. He was member of the academy of the Peregrini, in
which he took the academical name of Bizzaro, perfectly
suitable to his satirical and humourous character. Some
of his works are, 1. " Letters," in Italian, Svo. 2. " La
Libraria," 1557, Svo. 3. " La Zucca," 1565, 4 parts,
Svo, with plates. 4. " I mondi celesti, terestri ed infer-
nali," 4to : there is an old French translation of it. 5. " I
martiii, cive Raggionamenti fatti a i marmi di Fiorenza,"
Venice, 1552, 4to. In all his writings, of which there is
a list of more than twenty in Niceron, he aspires at singu-
larity, and the reputation of a comical fellow ; in the first
he generally succeeds, and if he fail in the second, it is not
for want of great and constant efforts to become so. Dr.
Burney gives an account of a very rare book of his, entitled
" Dialoghi della Musica," which was published at Venice,
1544, which the doctor never saw, except in the library olf
Padre Martini. The author was not only a practical mu-
sician and composer by profession, but connected, and in
correspondence with the principal writers and artists of his
time. Dr. Burney also remarks that his " Libraria" must
have been an useful publication when it first appeared ;
as it not only contains a catalogue and character of all the
Italian books then in print, but of all the MSS. that he
had seen, with a list of the academies then subsisting, their
institution, mottos, and employment ; but what rendered
this little work particularly useful to Dr. Burney in his
inquiries after early musical publications, is the catalogue
it contains of all the music which had been published at
Venice since the invention of printing.
There was another DONI, whose name was JOHN BAP-
TIST, a writer on Music, and who left behind him at his
death, about 1650, many printed works upon ancient mu-
sic, as " Compend. del. Trat. de' Generi e de' Modi della
Musica." "De praestantia Musicse Veteris," and particularly
his " Discorso sopra le Consonanze," with a great number
of unfinished essays and tracts relative to that subject, and
the titles of many more. Few men had indeed considered
the subject with greater attention. He saw the difficulties,
though he was unable to solve them. The titles of his
chapters, as well as many of those of father Mersennus,
and others, are often the most interesting and seducing
imaginable. But they are false lights, which like ignes
D O N I. 245
fatui, lead us into new and greater obscurity. The
treatises which he published both in Latin and Italian,
on the music of the Greeks, being well written in
point of language, obtained him the favour and eulogies
of men of the highest class in literature. He has been
much extolled by Heinsius, Gassendi, Pietro della
Valle, and others. Apostolo Zeno, in his learned notes
to the Biblioteca Italiana of Fontanini, speaks of him
in the following terms : " We had reason to hope that
the works of Doni -would have completed our knowledge
of the musical system of the ancients ; as he united
in himself a vast erudition, a profound knowledge in the
Greek language, in mathematics, in the theory of modern
music, in poetry, and history, with access to all the pre-
cious MSS. and treasures of antiquity." Doni invented an
instrument which he denominated the " Lyra Barberini,"
or " Amphichordon," which he has described in an express
treatise, but we hear of it no where else. He was a de-
clared foe to learned music, particularly vocal in fugue,
where the several performers are uttering different words at
the same time, and certainly manifests good taste, and
enlarged views, with respect to theatrical music and the
improvement of the musical drama or opera; but his ob-
jections to modern music, and proposals of reform, not
only manifest his ignorance of the laws of harmony, but a
bad ear, as he recommends such wild, impracticable, and
intolerable expedients of improvement., as no ear well
constructed, however uncultivated, can bear.
In 1763, signior Bandini, librarian to the ci-devant
grand duke of Tuscany, published in 2 vols. folio, not
only the musical tracts of Doni which had appeared during
his life, but others that were found among his MS papers
after his decease, some finished, some unfinished, and the
mere titles of others which he had in meditation. l
DONI D'ATTICHI (LEWIS), was born in 1596, of a
noble family, originally of Florence, and entered himself
of the Minims. Cardinal Richelieu, who became ac-
quainted with him during his retirement at Avignon, was
so struck with his modesty and learning, that he gave him
the bishopric of Itiez, in which diocese he did much good.
1 Burney and Hawkins's Hist, of Mu>ic. — Moreri. — Nlceron, vol. XXXIH,—
Cen. Diet.— Marchand.— Clement Bibl. Curieuse.— Rees's Cyclopaedia.
246 DON I.
From the see of Uiez he was translated to that of Autun,
and died in 1664, at the age of sixty-eight. He published,
1. "A History of the Minims," 4to.' 2. "The Life of
queen Joan, foundress of the Annonciades," 8vo. 3. " The
Life of cardinal de Berulle," in Latin, 8vo. 4. " The His-
tory of the Cardinals," in Latin, 1660, 2 vols. folio, &c.
His Latin works are more tolerable in regard to style than
those in French, the diction of which is become obsolete. *
DONN (ABRAHAM), an ingenious mathematician, was
born Feb. 6, 17 1 8, at Bideford, in Devonshire, where
his father kept a mathematical school, and was reputed
one of the best teachers of arithmetic, navigation, and
dialing, in his time. It appears from some papers in MS.
left by the Rev. Mr. Hervey, author of the " Meditations,'*
that the family name was Donne ; and that Christopher,
the grandfather, was the first that dropped the final e.
The subject of the present article was brought up under
the care of the Rev. Mr. Mudge, of Plymouth, and his
successor White, M. A. with whom he made a very
considerable progress in the Latin and Greek languages.
When he left the grammar-school, as far as his health
would permit, he assisted his father in his mathematical
school ; and when he was about fourteen years of age,
being at play with some of his schoolmates, he fell from a
high pile of deals, which, with his soon after going a-swim-
ming in a profuse sweat, laid the foundation for disorders
which continued on him till the time of his death ; so that,
from the fourteenth year of his age to his twenty-eighth,
when he died, he can scarcely be said to have had the
blessing of health, even for so short an interval as a month.
^Notwithstanding this severe sickness, he studied the ma-
thematics, and acquired some considerable knowledge in
those sciences ; for he solved several questions in the
Diaries. As to astronomy, it seemed to have been his
favourite study ; and he left behind him the result of hiss
calculations of the eclipses of the Sun and Moon, with the
transits of Mercury, for more than ten years to come, with
their delineations. He was assistant to Mr. Hervey in his
studying the use of the globes ; and that pious clergyman
preached his funeral serndbn, July 15, 1746. His works
were published by his younger brother, Benjamin Donn,
* Moreri.
BONN. 247
who about 1756 opened an academy at Kingston, near
Taunton, in Somersetshire, where he taught with great
success, and where he died in 1798, after publishing some
mathematical treatises. '
DONNE (JOHN), an eminent English divine and poet,
was born in the city of London in 1573. His father was
descended from a very ancient family in Wales, and his
mother was distantly related to sir Thomas More the cele-
brated and unfortunate lord chancellor, and to judge Ras-
tall, whose father, one of the earliest English printers,
married Elizabeth, the chancellor's sister. Ben Jonson
seems to think that he inherited a poetical turn from Hay-
wood, the epigrammatist, who was also a distant relation,
by the mother's side. Of his father's station in life we
have no account, but he must have been a man of consi-
derable opulence, as he bequeathed to him three thousand
pounds, a large sum in those days. Young Donne re-
ceived the rudiments of education at home under a private
tutor, and his proficiency was such, that he was sent to the
university at the early, and perhaps unprecedented age of
eleven years, or according to Walton, at ten. At this time,
we are told, he understood the French and Latin languages,
and had in other respects so far exceeded the usual attain-
ments of boyhood, as to be compared to Picus Mirandula,
one that was " rather born, than made wise by study." He
was entered of Hart-hall, now Hertford college, where at
the usual time he might have taken his first degree with
honour, but having been educated in the Roman catholic
persuasion, he submitted to the advice of his friends who
were averse to the oath usually administered on that occa-
sion. About his fourteenth year, he was removed to Tri-
nity college, Cambridge, where he prosecuted his studies
for three years with uncommon perseverance and applause :
but here likewise his religious scruples prevented his
taking any degree.
In his seventeenth year, he repaired to London, and
was admitted into Lincoln's-inn, with an intention to study
law, but what progress he made we are not told, except
that he continued to give proofs of accumulated knowledge
in general science. Upon his father's death, which hap-
pened before he could have been regularly admitted into
» Gent. Mag. TO!. LXXIV,
248 DONNE.
the society of Lincoln's-inn, he retired upon the fortune
which his father left to him, and had nearly dissipated the
whole before he made choice of any plan of life. At this
time, however, he was so, young and so submissive as to
be under the guardianship of his mother and friends, who
provided him with tutors in the mathematics, and such
other branches of knowledge as formed the accomplish-
ments of that age ; and his love of learning, which was
ardent and discursive, greatly facilitated their labours, and
furnished his mind with such intellectual stores as gained
him considerable distinction. It is not improbable, also,
that his poetical attempts contributed to make him more
known.
It was about the age of eighteen, that he began to study
the controversy between the protestants and papists. His
tutors had been instructed to take every opportunity of
confirming him in popery, the religion of his family; and
he confesses that his mother's persuasions had much weight.
She was a woman of great piety, and her son, in all the
relations of life, evinced a most affectionate heart. Amidst
these allurements, however, he entered on the inquiry with
much impartiality, and with the honest intention to give
way to such convictions only as should be founded in
established truth. He has recorded in the preface to his
" Pseudo-Martyr," the struggles of his mind, which he
says he overcame by frequent prayer, and an indifferent
affection to both parties. The result was a firm, and, as it
afterwards proved, a serious adherence to the doctrines of
the reformed church.
This inquiry, which terminated probably to the grief of
his surviving parent and his friends of the Romish persua-
sion, appears to have occupied a considerable space of
time, as we hear no more of him, until he began his tra-
vels in his twenty-first year. He accompanied the earl of
Essex in his expedition in 1596, when Cadiz was taken,
and again in 1597, but did not return to England until he
had travelled for some time in Italy, from which he meant
to have penetrated into the Holy Land, and visited Jerusa-
lem and the holy sepulchre. But the inconveniences and
dangers of the road in those parts appeared so insuperable
that he gave up this design, although with a reluctance to
which he often used to advert. The time, however, which
he had dedicated to visit the Holy Land, he passed in Spain,
DONNE. 249
and both there and in Italy, studied the language, man-
ners, and government of the country, allusions to which
are scattered throughout his poems and prose works.
Not long after his return to England, he obtained the
patronage of sir Thomas Egerton, lord Ellesmere, lord
chancellor of England, and the friend and predecessor of
the illustrious Bacon. This nobleman appears to have
been struck with his accomplishments, now heightened by
the polish of foreign travel, and appointed him to be his
chief secretary, as an introduction to some more important
employment in the state, for which he is said to have pro-
nounced him very fit. The conversation of Donne, at tiiis
period, was probably enriched by observation, and en-
livened by that wit which sparkles so frequently in his
works. The chancellor, it is certain, conceived so highly
of him, as to make him an inmate in his house, and a con-
stant guest at his table, where he had an opportunity of
mixing with the most eminent characters of the age, and
of obtaining that notice, which, if not abused, generally
leads to preferment.
In this honourable employment, he passed five years,
probably the most agreeable of his life. But a young man
of a disposition inclined to gaiety, and in the enjoyment of
the most elegant pleasures of society, could not be long a
stranger to love. Donne's favourite object was the daughter
of sir George Moor, or More, of Loxley farm in the county
of Surrey, and niece to lady Ellesmere. This young lady
resided in the house of the chancellor, and the lovers had
consequently many opportunities to indulge the tenderness
of an attachment which appears to -have been mutual. Be-
fore the family, they were probably not very cautious, for
in one of his elegies he speaks of spies and rivals, and her
father either suspected, or from them had some intimation,
of a connexion which he chose to consider as degrading,
and therefore removed his daughter to his own house at
Loxley. But this measure was adopted too late, as the
parties, perhaps dreading the event, had been for some
time privately married. This unwelcome news, when it
could be no longer concealed, was imparted to sir George
Moor, by Henry earl of Northumberland, a nobleman,
who, notwithstanding this friendly interference, was after-
wards guilty of that rigour towards his own youngest
daughter, which he now wished to soften in the breast of
sir George Moor. Sir George's rage, however, transported
250 DONNE.
him beyond the bounds of reason. He not only insisted
on Donne's being dismissed from the lord chancellor's ser-
vice, but caused him to be imprisoned ; and, at the same
time, Samuel Brook, afterwards master of Trinity college,
and iiis brother Christopher Brook, who were present at
the marriage, the one acting as father to the lady, the
other as witness.
Ttieir imprisonment appears to have been an act of arbi-
trary power, for we hear of no trial being instituted, or
punishment inflicted on the parties. Mr. Donne was first
released*, and soon procured the enlargement of his com-
panions ; and, probably at no great distance of time, sir
George Moor began to relent. The excellent character of
his son-in-law was so often represented to him that he
could no longer resist the intended consequences of such
applications. He condescended, therefore, to permit the
young couple to live together, and solicited the lord chan-
cellor to restore Mr. Donne to his former situation. This,
however, the chancellor refused, and in such a manner as
to show the opinion he entertained of sir George's conduct.
His lordship owned that " he was unfeignedly sorry for
what he had done, yet it was inconsistent with his plac^
and credit to discharge and re-admit servants at the request
of passionate petitioners." Lady Ellesmere also probably
felt the severity of this remark, as her unwearied solicita-
tions had induced the chancellor to adopt a measure which
he supposed the world would regard as capricious, and in-»
consistent with his character.
Whatever allowance is to be made for the privileges of
a parent, the conduct of sir George Moor, on this occa-
sion, seems entitled to no indulgence. He neither felt as
a father, nor acted as a wise man. His object in request-
ing his son-in-law to be restored to the chancellor's ser-
vice, was obviously that he might be released from the
expence of maintaining him and his wife ; for, when dis-
appointed in this, he refused them any assistance. This
harshness reduced Mr. Donne to a situation the most dis-
tressing. His estate, the three thousand pounds before
mentioned, had been nearly expended on his education
* He date? a letter to sir H. GooJere, dates, and takes no notice of this cir-
June 15, 1607, in which he expresses cumstatice. Donne's Letters, p. 81.
some hopes of obtaining a place at In another letter he makes interest for
court in the queen's household. This the place of one of his majesty's secre-
may have been soon after his release, taries in Ireland, but this has no date,
but his biographer, Walton, gives /few Ibid. p. 145.
DONNE. 251
and during his travels; and he had now no employment
that could enable him to support a wife, accustomed to
ease and respect, with even the decent necessaries of life.
These sorrows, however, were considerably lessened by
the friendship of sir Francis Wooley, son to lady Elles-
mere by her first husband sir John Wooley of Pit ford in
Surrey, knt. In this gentleman's house Mr. and Mrs. Donne
resided for many years, and were treated with an ease and
kindness which moderated the sense of dependence, and.
which they repaid with attentions that appear to have
gratified and secured the affection of their benevolent
relation.
It has already been noticed that in his early years he
had examined the state of the controversy between the
popish and protestant churches, the result of which was
his firm attachment to the latter. But this was not the
only consequence of a course of reading in which the prin-
ciples of religion were necessarily to be traced to their
purer sources. He appears to have contracted a pious
turn of mind, which although occasionally interrupted by
the intrusions of gay life, and an intercourse with foreign
nations and foreign pleasures, became habitual, and was
probably increased by the distresses brought on his family
in consequence of his imprudent marriage. That this was
the case appears from an interesting part of his history,
during- his residence with sir Francis Wooley, when he
was solicited to take orders. Among the friends whom his
talents procured him, was the learned Dr. Morton, after-
wards bishop of Durham, who first made this proposal, but
with a reserve which does him much honour, and proves
the truest regard for the interests of the church. The cir-
cumstance is so remarkable that no apology can be neces-
sary for giving it in the words of his biographer :
" Dr. Morton sent to Mr. Donne, and intreated to bor-
row an hour of his time for a conference the next day.
After their meeting, there was not many minutes passed
before he spake to Mr. Donne to this purpose: ' Mr. Donne,
the occasion of sending for you is to propose to you, what
I have otten revolved in my own thought since 1 saw you
last, which nevertheless I will not declare but upon this
condition, that you shall not return me a present answer,
but forbear three days, and bestow some part of that time
in fasting and prayer, and after a serious consideration of
what I shall propose, then return to me with your answer.
252 DON N E.
Deny me not, Mr. Donne, for it is the effect of a true love,
which I would gladly pay as a debt due for yours to me."
This request being granted, the doctor expressed himself
thus : ' Mr. Donne, I know your education and abilities ;
I know your expectation of a state employment, and I
know your fitness for it, and I know too, the many delays
and contingencies that attend court-promises ; and let me
tell you, that my love, begot by our long friendship and
your merits, hath prompted me to such an inquisition after
your present temporal estate, as makes me no stranger to
your necessities, which I know to be such as your generous
spirit could not bear, if it were not supported with a pious
patience : You know I have formerly persuaded you to
wave your court-hopes, and enter into holy orders ; which
I now again persuade you to embrace, with this reason
added to my former request : The king hath yesterday
made me dean of Gloucester, and I am also possessed of a
benefice, the profits of which are equal to those of my
deanery : I will think my deanery enough for my mainte-
nance (who am and resolve to die a single man), and will
quit my benefice, and estate you in it (which the patron is
willing I shall do), if God shall incline your heart to em-
brace this motion. Remember, Mr. Donne, no man's edu-
cation or parts make him too good for this employment,
which is to be an ambassador for the God of glory ; that
God, who, by a vile death, opened the gates of life to
mankind. Make me no present answer, but remember
your promise, and return to me the third day with your
resolution.'
" At the hearing of this, Mr. Donne's faint breath and
perplexed countenance gave a visible testimony of an in-
ward conflict; but he performed his promise, and departed
without returning an answer till the third day, and theft
his answer was to this effect : ' My most worthy and
most dear friend, since I saw you I have been faithful to
my promise, and have also meditated much of your great
kindness, which hath been such as would exceed even my
gratitude, but that it cannot do, and more I cannot return
you ; and that I do with an heart full of humility and
thanks, though I may not accept of your offer : But, sir, my
refusal is not for that I think myself too good for that
calling, for which kings, if they think so, are not good
enough ; nor for that my education and learning, though
not eminent, may not, being assisted with God's grace and
DONNE. 253
humility, render me in some measure fit for it ; but I dare
make so dear a friend as you are my confessor : some irre-
gularities of my life have been so visible to some men,
that though I have, I thank God, made my peace with him
by penitential resolutions against them, and by the assist-
ance of his grace banished them my affections ; yet this,
which God knows to be so, is not so visible to man, as to
free me from their censures, and it may be that sacred
calling from a dishonour. And besides, whereas it is de-
termined by the best of casuists, that God's glory should
be the first end, and a maintenance the second motive to
embrace that calling, and though each man may propose
to himself both together, yet the first may not be put last
without a violation of my conscience, which he that
searches the heart will judge. And truly my present con-
dition is such, that if I ask my own conscience whether it
be reconcileable to that rule, it is at this time so perplexed
about it, that I can neither give mvself nor you an answer.
9 O +1 *
You know, sir, who says, Happy is that man whose con-
science doth not accuse him for that thing which he does.
To these I mio-ht add other reasons that dissuade me, but
D
I crave your favour that may forbear to express them, and
thankfully decline your offer.'"
This transaction, which, according to the date of Dr.
Morton's promotion to the deanery of Gloucester, happened
in 1607, when our poet was in his thirty- fourth year, is
not unimportant, as it displays that character for nice ho-
nour and integrity which distinguished Donne in all his
future life, and was accompanied with an heroic generosity
of feeling and action, which is perhaps rarely to be met
with, unless in men whose principles have the foundation
which he appears to have now laid.
Donne and his family remained with sir Francis Woolev
until the death of this excellent friend, whose last act of
kindness was to effect some degree of reconciliation be-
tween sir George Moor and his son and daughter. Sir
George agreed by a bond to pay Mr. Donne eight hundred
pounds on a certain day, as a portion with his wife, or
twenty pounds quarterly for their maintenance, until the
principal sum should be discharged. With this sum, so
inferior to what he once possessed, and to what he might
have expected, he took a house at Mitcham for his wife
and family, and lodgings for himself in London, which he-
often visited, and enjoyed the society and esteem of many
254, DONNE.
persons distinguished for rank and talents. It appears,
however, by his letters, that his income was far from ade-
quate to the wants of an increasing family, of whom he
frequently writes in a style of melancholy and despondence
which appear to have affected his health. He still had no
offer of employment, and no fixed plan of study. During
his residence with sir Francis Wooley, he had read much
on the civil and canon law, and probably might have ex-
celled in any of the literary professions which offered en-
couragement, but he confesses that he was diverted from
them by a general desire of learning, or what he calls in
one of his poems " the sacred hunger of science."
In this desultory course of reading, which improved hia
mind at the expence of his fortune, he spent two years at
Mitcham, when sir Robert Drury insisted on his bringing
his family to live with him in his spacious house in Drury -
lane ; and sir Robert afterwards intending to go on an em-
bassy with lord Hay to the court of France, he persuaded
Donne to accompany him. Mrs. Donne was at this time
in a bad state of health, and near the end of her preg-
nancy ; and she remonstrated against his leaving her, as
she foreboded " some ill in his absence." Her affectionate
husband determined on this account to abandon all thoughts
of his journey, and intimated his resolution to sir Robert,
who, for whatever reason, became the more solicitous for
his company. This brought on a generous conflict be-
tween Donne and his wife. He urged that he could not
refuse a man to whom he was so much indebted ; and she
complied, although with some reluctance, from a conge-
nial sense of obligation. It was on this occasion, probably,
that he addressed to his wife the verses " By our first strange
and fatal interview," &c. She had formed, if this conjecture
be allowed, the romantic design of accompanying him in
the disguise of a page, from which, it was the purpose of
these verses to dissuade her.
Mr. Donne accordingly went abroad with the embassy,
and two days after their arrival at Paris had that extraor-
dinary vision which has been minutely detailed by all his
biographers. He saw, or fancied he saw, his wife pass
through the room, in which he was sitting alone, with her
hair hanging about her shoulders, and a dead child in her
arms. This story he often repeated, and with so much
confidence and anxiety, that sir Robert sent a messenger
to Drur.y-h.QUse, who brought back intelligence, that he
DONNE. 255
found Mrs. Donne very sad and sick in bed, and that after
a long and dangerous labour, she had been delivered of a
dead child ; which event happened on the day and hour
that Mr. Donne saw the vision. Walton has recorded the
story on the authority of an anonymous informant, and
has endeavoured to render it credible, not only by the cor-
responding instances of Samuel and Saul, of Bildad, and
of St. Peter, but those of Julius Caesar and Brutus, St.
Augustin and Monica. The whole may be safely left to the
judgment of the reader.
From the dates of some of Donne's letters, it appears
that he was at Paris with sir Robert Drury in 1612*, and
one is dated from the Spa in the same year, but at what
time he returned is not certain. After his return, how-
ever, his friends became more seriously anxious to fix him
in some honourable and lucrative employment at court.
Before this period he had become known to king James,
and was one of those learned persons with whom that so-
vereign delighted to converse at his table. On one of
those occasions, about 1610, the conversation turned on
a question respecting the obligation on Roman Catholics
to take the oaths of allegiance and supremacy ; and Donne
appeared to so much advantage in the dispute, that his
majesty requested he would commit his sentiments to
writing, and bring them to him. Donne readily complied,
and presented the king with the treatise, published in that
year, under the title of " Pseudo-Martyr." This obtained
him much reputation, and the university of Oxford con-
ferred on him the degree of M. A. which he had previously-
received from Cambridge. The " Pseudo-Martyr," con-
tains very strong arguments against the pope's supremacy,
and has been highly praised by his biographers. War-
burton, however, speaks of it in less favourable terms. It
must be confessed that the author has not availed himself
of the writings of the judicious Hooker, and that in this,
as well as in all his prose writings, are many of those far-
fetched conceits, which, however agreeable to the taste of
the age, have placed him at the head of a class of Very in-
different poets.
At this period of our history, it was deemed expedient
to select such men for high offices in the church, as pro-
* It may be necessary to mention that the dates of some of his letters do not
correspond with Walton's narrative j aud i» is now too late to attempt to recon-
cile them.
256 DONNE.
mised by their abilities and zeal to vindicate the reformed
religion. King James, who was no incompetent judge of
such merit, though perhaps too apt to measure the talents
of others by his own standard, conceived from a perusal
of the " Pseudo-Martyr," that Donne would prove an or-
nament and bulwark to the church, and therefore not only
endeavoured to persuade him to take orders, but resisted
every application to exert the royal favour towards him in
any other direction. When the favourite earl of Somerset
requested that Mr. Donne might have the place of one of
the clerks of the council, then vacant, the king replied,
*' I know Mr. Donne is a learned man, has the abilities of
a learned divine, and will prove a powerful preacher, and
my desire is to prefer him that way, and in that way I
•will deny you nothing for him." Such an intimation must
have made a powerful impression, yet there is no reascn
to conclude from any part of Mr. Donne's character, that
he won I'd have been induced to enter the church merely
by the persuasion of his sovereign, however flattering.
To him, however, at this time, the transition was not dif-
ficult. He had relinquished the follies of youth, and had
nearly outlived the remembrance of them. His studies
had long inclined to theology, and his frame of mind was
adapted to support the character expected from him. His
old .friend Dr, Morton probably embraced this opportu-
nity to second the king's wishes, and remove Mr. Donne's
personal scruples ; and Dr. King, bishop of London, who
had been chaplain to the chancellor when Donne was his
secretary, and consequently knew his character, heard of
his intention with much satisfaction. By this prelate he
was ordained deacon and afterwards priest ; and the king,
although not uniformly punctual in his promises of patron-
age, immediately made him his chaplain in ordinary, and
gave him hopes of higher preferment.
Those who had been the occasion of Mr. Donne's en-
tering into orders, were anxious to see him exhibit in a
new character, with the abilities which had been so much
admired in the scholar, and the man of the world. But
at first, we are told, he confined his public services to the
churches in the vicinity of London, and it was not until
his majesty required his attendance at Whitehall on an ap-
pointed day, that he appeared before an auditory capable
of appreciating his talents. Their report is stated to have
been highly favourable. His biographer, indeed, seems
DONNE. 257
to be at a loss for words to express the pathos, dignity,
and effect of his preaching, but in what he has advanced
he no doubt spoke the sentiments of Donne's learned con-
temporaries. Still the excellence of the pulpit oratory
of that age will not bear the test of modern criticism, and
those who now consult Mr. Donne's sermons, if they ex-
pect gratification, must be more attentive to the matter
than the manner. That he was a popular and useful
preacher, is universally acknowledged, and he performed
the more private duties of his function with humility, kind-
ness, zeal, and assiduity.
The same month, which appears to have been March
1614, in which he entered into orders, and preached at
Whitehall," the king happened to be entertained during
one of his progresses at Cambridge, and recommended
Mr. Donne to be made D. D. Walton informs us that the
university gave their assent as soon as Dr. Harsnet, the
vice-chancellor, made the proposal. According, however,
to two letters from Mr. Chamberlain to sir Dudley Carlton,
it appears that there was some opposition to the degree,
in consequence of a report that Mr. Donne had obtained
the reversion of the deanery of Canterbury. Even the
vice-chancellor is mentioned among those who opposed
him. It is not very easy to reconcile these accounts, unles«
by a conjecture that the opposition was withdrawn, when
the report respecting the deanery of Canterbury was proved
to be untrue. And there is some probability that this was
the case, for that deanery became vacant in the following
year, and was given to Dr. Fotherby, a man of much less
fame and interest. But whatever was the cause of this
temporary opposition at Cambridge, it is certain that Dr.
Donne became so highly esteemed as a preacher, that
within the first year of his ministry, he had the offer of
fourteen different livings, all of which he declined, and all
for the same reason, namely, that they were situated at a
distance from London, to which, in common with all men
of intellectual curiosity, he appears to have been warmly
attached.
In 1617 his wife died, leaving him seven children. This
affliction sunk so deep into his heart, that he retired from
the world and from his friends, to indulge a sorrow which
could not be restrained, and which for some time inter-
rupted his public services. From this he was at length
diverted by the gentlemen of Lincoln's-inn, who requested
VOL. XII. S
258 DONNE.
him to accept their lecture, and prevailed. Their high-
regard for him contributed to render this situation agree-
able and adequate to the maintenance of his family. The
connexion subsisted about two years, greatly to the satis-
faction of both parties, and of the people at large, who
had now frequent opportunities of hearing their favourite
preacher. But on lord Hay being appointed on an em-
bassy to Germany, Dr. Donne was requested to attend
him. He was at this time in a state of health which re-
quired relaxation and change of air, and after an absence
of fourteen months, he returned to his duty in Lincoln's-
inn, much improved in health and spirits, and about a year
after, in 1620, the king conferred upon him the deanery
of St. Paul's.
This promotion, like all the leading events of his life,
tended to the advancement of his character. While it.
amply supplied his wants, it enabled him at the same time
to exhibit the heroism of a liberal and generous mind, in
the casfc of his father-in-law, sir George Moor. This man
had never acted the part of a kind and forgiving parent,
although he continued to pay the annual sum agreed upon
by bond, in lieu of his daughter's portion. The time was
now come, when Dr. Donne could repay his harshness, by
convincing him how unworthily it had been exerted. The
quarter after his appointment to the deanery, when sir
George came to pay him the stipulated sum, Dr. Donne
refused it, and after acknowledging more kindness than he
had received, added, " I know your present condition is
such as not to abound, and I hope mine is such as not to
need it ; I will therefore receive no more from you upon
that contract," which he immediately gave up.
To his deanery was now added the vicarage of St. Dun-
stan in the West, and another ecclesiastical endowment
not specified by Walton. These according to his letters
(p. 318) he owed to the friendship of Richard Sackville,
earl of Dorset, and of the earl of Kent. From all this he
derived the pleasing prospect of making a decent provision
for his children, as well as of indulging to a greater extent
his liberal and humane disposition. In 1624, he was chosen
prolocutor to the convocation, on which occasion he deli-
vered a Latin oration, which is printed in the London edi-
tion of his poems, 1719.
While in this full tide of popularity, he had the misfor-
tune to fall under the displeasure of the king, who had
DONNE. 259
been informed that in his public discourses he had meddled
with some of those points respecting popery which were
more usually handled by the puritans. Such an accusation,
might have had very serious consequences, if the king had
implicitly confided in those who brought it forward. But
Dr. Donne was too great a favourite to be condemned un-
heard, and accordingly his majesty sent for him, and re-
presented what he hud heard, and Dr. Donne so com-
pletely satisfied him as to his principles in church and
state, that the king, in the hearing of his council, be-
stowed high praise on him, and declared that he rejoiced
in the recollection that it was by his persuasion Dr. Donne
had become a divine.
About four years after he received the deanery of St.
Paul's, and when he had arrived at his fifty-fourth year,
his constitution, naturally feeble, was attacked by a disorder
which had every appearance of being fatal. In this ex-
tremity he gave another proof of that tenderness of con-
science, so transcendently superior to all modern notions
of honour, which had always marked his character. When
there was little hope of his life, he was required to renew
some prebendal leases, the fines for which were very con-
siderable, and might have enriched his family. But this
he peremptorily refused, considering such a measure, in
his situation, as a species of sacrilege. " I dare not," he
added, "now upon my sick bed, when Almighty God
hath made me useless to the service of the church, make
any advantages out of it." This illness, however, he sur-
vived about five years, when his tendency to a consump-
tion again returned, and terminated his life on the 31st day
of March, 1631. He was buried in St. Paul's, where a
monument was erected to his memory. His figure may
yet be seen in the vaults of St. Faith's under St. Paul's.
It stands erect in a window, without its niche, and de-
prived of the urn in which the feet were placed. His pic-
ture was drawn sometime before his death, when he dressed
himself in his winding-sheet, and the figure in St. Faith's
was carved from this painting by Nicholas Stone. The
fragments of his tomb are on the other side of the church.
Walton mentions many other paintings of him executed at
different periods of his life, which are not now known.
Of his character some judgment may be formed from,
the preceding sketch, taken principally from Zoucb's much
improved edition of Walton's Lives. His early years,
S 2
260 DONNE.
there is reason to think, although disgraced by no flagrant
turpitude, were not exempt from folly and dissipation. In
some of his poems, we meet with the language and senti-
ments of men whose morals are not very strict. After his
marriage, however, he appears to have become of a serious
and thoughtful disposition, his mind alternately exhausted
by study, or softened by affliction. His reading was very
extensive, and we find allusions to almost every science in
his poems, although unfortunately they only contribute to
produce distorted images and wild conceits.
His prose works are numerous, but except the " Pseudo-
Martyr," and a small volume of devotions, none of them,
were published during his life. The others are, 1. " Pa-
radoxes, problems, essays, characters," &c. 1653, 12mo.
Part of this collection was published at different times be-
fore. 2. Three volumes of " Sermons," in folio ; the first
printed in 1640,, the second in 1649, the third in 1660.
Lord Falkland styles Donne " one of the most witty and
most eloquent of our modern divines." 3. " Essays in
divinity," &c. 1651, 12mo. 4. " Letters to several per-
sons of honour," 1654, 4to. Both these published by his
son. There are several of Donne's letters, and others to
him from the queen of Bohemia, the earl of Carlisle, arch-
bishop Abbot, and Ben Jonson ; printed in a book, en-
titled, " A collection of Letters made by sir Tobie Mat-
thews, knt. 1660," 8vo. 5. " The ancient History of the
Septuagint; translated from the Greek of Aristeas," 1633,
in 12mo. This translation was revised and corrected by
another hand, and published in 1635, 8vo. His sermons
have not a little of the character of his poems. They are
not, indeed, so rugged in style, but they abound with
quaint allusions, which now appear ludicrous although they
probably produced no such effect in his days. With this
exception, they contain much good sense, much acquaint-
ance with human nature, many striking thoughts, and
some very just biblical criticism*.
One of his prose writings requires more particular no-
tice. Every admirer of his character will wish it expunged
* We are informed by a valuable The MS. which appeals to be of the
correspondent, to whom this article is date of Dr. Donne's time, shows at least
indebted for other hints, that the rev. the value placed on his works, in the
W. Woolston, of Adderbury, is in pos- care and pains then used to make ac-
session of a large folio MS. of Sermons, curate transcripts, or to procure co-
many of which are by Donne, and pies of them.
«Mne of these perhaps not published.
DONNE. 26t
from the collection. It is entitled " Biathanatos, a De-
claration of that Paradox, or Thesis, that Self-Homicide is
not so naturally Sin, that it may never be otherwise." If
it be asked what could induce a man of Dr. Donne's piety
to write such a treatise, we may answer in his own words
that " it is a book written by Jack Donne, and not by Dr.
Donne." It was written in his youth, as a trial of skill on
a singular topic, in which he thought proper to exercise
his talent against the generally-received opinion. But if
it be asked why, instead of sending one or two copies to
friends with an injunction not to print it, he did not put
this out of their power by destroying the manuscript, the
answer is not so easy. He is even so inconsistent as to
desire one of his correspondents neither to burn it, nor
publish it. It was at length published by his son in 1644,
who certainly did not consult the reputation of his father,
and if the reports of his character be just, was not a man.
likely to give himself much uneasiness about that or any
other consequence.
Dr. Donne's reputation as a poet, was higher in his own
time than it has been since. Dryden fixed his character
with his usual judgment; as "the greatest wit, though
not the best poet of our nation." He says afterwards *,
that " he affects the metaphysics, not only in his satires,
but in his amorous verses, where Nature only should
reign, and perplexes the minds of the fair sex with nice
speculations of philosophy, when he should engage their
hearts, and entertain them with the softnesses of love."
Dryden has also pronounced that if his satires were to be
translated into numbers, they would yet be wanting in dig-
nity of expression. From comparing the originals and
translations in Pope's works, the reader will probably
think that Pope has made them so much his own, as to
throw very little lighten Donne's powers. He every where
elevates the expression, and in very few instances retains
a whole line. Pope, in his classification of poets, places
Donne at the head of a school, that school from which
Dr. Johnson has given so many remarkable specimens of
absurdity, in his life of Covyley, and which, following
Dryden, he terms the metaphysical school. Gray, in the
sketch which he sent to Mr. Warton, considers it as a
third Italian school, full of conceit, begun in queen Eliza-
* On the Origin and Progress of Satire.
262 DONNE.
beth's reign, continued under James and Charles I. by
Donne, Crashaw, Cleiveland, carried to its height by
CowJey, and ending perhaps in Sprat. Donne's numbers,
if they may be so called, are certainly the most rugged
and uncouth of any of our poets. He appears either to
have had no ear, or to have been utterly regardless of har-
mony. Yet Spenser preceded him, and Drummond, the
first polished versifier, was his contemporary ; but it must
be allowed that before Drummond appeared, Donne had
relinquished his pursuit of the Muses, nor would it be just
to include the whole of his poetry under the general cen-
sure which has been usually passed. Dr. Warton seems
to think that if he had taken pains, he might not have
proved so inferior to his contemporaries ; but what induce-
ment could he have to take pains, as he published nothing,
and seems not desirous of public fame ? He was certainly
not ignorant or unskilled in the higher attributes of style,
for he wrote elegantly in Latin, and displays considerable
taste in some of his smaller pieces and epigrams. At what
time he wrote his poems has not been ascertained ; but of
a few the dates may be recovered by the corresponding
events of his life. Ben Jonson affirmed that he wrote all
his best pieces before he was twenty-five years of age.
His satires, in which there are some strokes levelled at the
reformation, must have been written very early, as he was
but a young man when he renounced the errors of popery.
His poems were first published in 4to, 1633, and 12mo,
1635, 1651, 1669, and 1719. His son was the editor of
the early editions.
This son, JOHN DONNE, was educated at Westminster
school, and removed from thence to Christ-church, Oxford,
in 1622. Afterwards he travelled abroad, and took the
degree of LL. D. at Padua in Italy; and June 1638 was
admitted to the same degree in the university of Oxford.
He died in 1662, and was buried in the churchyard of St.
Paul, Covent-Garden. Wood tells us, that " he was no
better all his life- time than an atheistical buffoon, a ban-
terer, and a person of over-free thoughts, yet valued by
Charles II. ; that he was a man of sense and parts; and that,
besides some writings of his father, he published several
frivolous trifles under his own name : among which is
' The humble petition of Covent-Garden against Dr. John
Baber a physician,' anno 1662."1
1 Johnson and Chalmers's English Poets, 1810.— Biog. Brit. -Walton's Lire*
by Zonch.
D O O D Y. 263
TDOODY (SAMUEL), an ingenious botanist, and the au-
ihor of some discoveries in the indigenous botany, was
a native of Staffordshire, which he left to settle in London
as an apothecary. He was chosen superintendant and de-
monstrator of the gardens at Chelsea, an office which he
held some years before his death, which took place in
1706. In 1695 he was elected a fellow of the Royal So-
ciety, and was the contemporary and friend of Ray, Plu-
Jkenet, and Sloane, who all bear testimony to his merit.
As he lived in London, and there is reason to believe was
in very considerable business, his excursions could not or-
dinarily extend far from that city; but in its neighbour-
hood, his diligence was beyond any other example. He
struck out a new path in botany, by leading to the study
of that tribe which comprehends the imperfect plants,
now called the Cryptogamia class. In this branch he
made the most numerous discoveries of any man in that
age, and in the knowledge of it stood clearly unrivalled.
The early editions of Ray's Synopsis were much amplified
by his labours ; and he is represented by Mr. Ray, as a
man of uncommon sagacity in discovering and discriminat-
ing plants in general. The learned successor of Tourne-
fort, M. Jussieu, speaks of him as " inter Pharmacopceos
Londinenses sui temporis Coryphictis." In truth he was
the Dillenius of his time. There is a long list of rare
plants, many of them new, and first discovered by Mr.
Doody, published in the second edition of Ray's Synopsis,
accompanied with observations on other species. There is
also " The case of a dropsy of the breast,'' written by
him, and printed in the Philosophical Transactions, in
1697, vol. XX. Some of his MSS. on medical and botani-
cal subjects are in the British Museum. '
DOOLITTLE, or DOOLITELL (THOMAS), an emi-
nent nonconformist, was born at Kidderminster in Wor-
cestershire, in 1730. Having discovered an early inclina-
tion to learning, he was sent to Cambridge, and admitted
of Pernbroke-hall, where he studied with a view to the
church, or rather to the meeting, as the church was then
under the controul of the republican party. His first des-
tination, however, was to the law, and he wont for some
time to receive instructions in an attorney's office ; but his
master having employed him to copy some writings on a
1 Pulteney's Sketches.— Ayscough's Cat. of MSS.
264 DOOLITTLE.
Sunday, he relinquished the business. It appears to have
been after this that he went to the university, and having
taken his degrees in arts, became a preacher. His first
settlement was at St. Alphage, London-wall. This living
being then vacant, Mr. Doolittle appeared as a candidate,
with several others, and the parishioners preferring him,
he became their pastor in 1654, and remained a very po-
pular preacher, until 1662, when he was ejected for non-
conformity. From this he removed to Moorfields, and
opened a kind of boarding-school, in which he was so suc-
cessful as to be obliged to hire a larger house in Bunhill-
fields, where he continued until the great plague, and
then he removed to Woodford. After the plague abated,
he returned to London, and saw it laid in ashes by the
great fire. On this occasion he and some other noncon-
formists resumed their preaching, and were for some time
unmolested. Mr. Doolittle has the credit of projecting the
first meeting-house, which was a hired place in Bunhill-
fields, but that proving toe small, when the city began to
be rebuilt, he erected a more commodious place of wor-
ship in Mugwell, or Monkwell-street, Cripplegate, which
remains until this day. Here, however, he was occasion-
ally interrupted by the magistrates, who put the laws in
execution ; but in 1672 he obtained a licence from Charles
II. which is still suspended in the vestry-room of the meet-
ing, and for some time continued to preach, and likewise
kept an academy at Islington for the education of young
men intended for the ministry among the nonconformists.
On the corporation-act being passed, when his licence be-
came useless, he was again obliged to leave London, and
resided partly at Wimbledon, and partly at Battersea,
where, although his house was rifled, he escaped impri-
sonment. At the revolution he was enabled to resume his
ministry in Monkwell-street, and here he closed the public
labours of fifty-three years, on May 24, 1707^ the seventy-
seventh year of his age. Much of this time was spent in
writing his various works, many of which attained a high
degree of popularity ; as, 1. " A Treatise concerning the
Lord's Supper," 1665, 12mo, which has perhaps been
oftener prii ted than almost any book on that subject.
2. " Directions how to live after a wasting plague" (that
of London), 1666, 8vo. 3. " A Rebuke for Sin, by God's
burning anger" (alluding to the great Fire). 4. " The
Young Man's Instructor, and the Old Man's Kemembran-
DOOLITTLE.
cer," 1673, Svo. 5. " A Call to delaying Sinners," 1683,
12mo, of which there have been many editions. 6. " A
Complete Body of Practical Divinity," fol. 1723, &c. &c.
His son, Samuel, was settled as a dissenting minister at
Reading, where-he died in 1717. l
DOPPELMAIER (JOHN GABRIEL), a German mathe-
matician, was born at Nuremberg in 1677, and was first
intended by his family for the bar, but soon relinquished
the study of the law for that of mathematics, in which he
was far more qualified to excel. He became professor of
mathematics at Nuremberg, after having travelled into
Holland and England to profit by the instructions of the
most eminent scholars in that science. In England he be-
came acquainted with Flamstead, Wallis, and Gregory,
and in 1733, long after he returned home, was elected a
fellow of the royal society as he was also of the societies
of Petersburgh and Berlin. His works, in German, on
astronomy, geography, and mathematics, are numerous.
He also published some in Latin : " Nova Methodus pa-
randi Sciaterica Solaria/' 1720. " Physica experimentis
illustrata," 4to; "Atlas Ccelestis," 1742, fol. Doppel-
maier made some curious experiments in electricity, at the
latter part of his life, which he also published ; and trans-
lated the astronomical tables of Stretius, French and
English, into Latin.2
DO RAT. See DAURAT.
DORIA (ANDREW), a noble Genoese, the greatest ma-
riner of his age, was born in 1468, at Oneille, a small
town on the coast of Genoa, of which Ceva Doria, his
father, was joint lord. He adopted the military profes-
sion, and distinguished himself for several years in the
service of different princes of Italy. On his return to his
native country, he was twice employed in Corsica, where
he fought against the rebels with so much success, that
the whole island was reduced to the obedience of the re-
public. In consequence of the reputation for valour and
prudence which Doria had acquired, he was appointed,
about 1513, captain-general of the gallies of Genoa; and
it is to be remarked, that he was upwards of forty-four
years of age when he took up the profession of a maritime
warrior. The African pirates, who at that time infested
1 Calamy. — Funeral Sermon by Williams, and Funeral Sermon on his son by
Waters. — Memoirs prefixed to his Body of Practical Divinity.
2 Diet. Hist. — Saxii Onomast,
r> o R i A.
the Mediterranean, gave him the first opportunities for
acquiring fame. He pursued them with unremitted ar-
dour, and in a short time enriched himself with so many
captures, that the produce, joined to the assistance of his
friends, enabled him to purchase four gallics. The revo-
lutions that soon happened in the government of Genoa,
determined Doria to enter into the service of Francis I.;
but after that prince was taken prisoner at Pavia, he be-
came dissatisfied with the ministry of France, and yielding
to the solicitations of Clement VII. he attached himself to
that pontiff, who made him his admiral. Rome being
taken by the constable of Bourbon, in 1527, the pope was
no longer able to continue Doria in his pay, and persuaded
him to go back into the service of France, the sovereign
of which, Francis I. received him with open arms, and ap-
pointed him general of his gallies, with a salary of 36,000
crowns, to which he afterwards added the title of admiral
of the seas of the Levant Doria was then proprietor of
eight well-armed gallies. It was to him that the French
O O
were indebted for the reduction of Genoa, from whence
the Adorni were expelled that same year, 1527. The
year following, Philippine Doria, his nephew and his lieu-
tenant, whom he had dispatched with eight gallies to the
coasts of the kingdom of Naples, in order to favour the
operations of the French army there, commanded by Lau-
trec, gained a complete victory over the naval armament of
the emperor at Capo-d'Orso, near the gulf of Salerno. The
imperial fleet being now destroyed, Naples, besieged by Lau-
trec, could no longer receive succours by sea, and was on
the point of surrendering, which would infallibly have
brought on the conquest of the whole kingdom, when
suddenly Doria abandoned France to serve the emperor.
This defection frustrated the enterprise against Naples,
and effected the total failure of the French affairs in Italy.
As to the motives that led him to this sudden change, it
should seem as if the ministers of Francis I. jealous of the
influence of this foreigner, who besides treated them with
the haughtiness of a republican, and the bluntness of a
sailor, had endeavoured to ruin him in the king's opinion,
and had partly succeeded in their attempt. Doria, soured
and angry, only waited for a pretext to give vent to his
indignation, which his enemies soon gave him. They per-
suaded the king to appropriate to himself the town of Sa-
vona, belonging to the Genoese; to enlarge the port,
D O R I A. 267
and make it a rival of the metropolis. In vain did Doria
make remonstrances to him in behalf of the republic, to
turn him from his purpose ; they were not only ill received,
but were misinterpreted ; and he was represented to the
king as a man that openly resisted his will. Nor did they
stop here; they persuaded the king to arrest him; and
twelve gallies, under the command of Barbezieux, received
orders to go first to Genoa to take possession of his per-
son, and then to proceed to Naples to seize upon his gal-
Hes, commanded by Philippine his nephew. But Doria,
having foreseen the blow, had retired to Lerica, in the
gulph of La Spezia, whence he dispatched a brigantine to
his nephew, with orders to join him without delay, and
thought himself authorised to act in this manner, because
the term of his engagement to the king was just expired.
From this moment Doria made it his chief business to con-
clude his agreement with the emperor, who had been so-
liciting it for a long time. It will not appear surprizing
that Francis T. now sought by all means in his power to
regain Doria; but neither the most magnificent promises,
nor even the mediation of pope Clement VII. could in-
duce him to alter his resolution. What must, however,
reflect still greater honour on the memory of Doria, was
his refusal, on this occasion, of the sovereignty of Genoa,
which was offered him by the emperor. Preferring the
title of restorer to that of master, he stipulated that Genoa
should remain free under the imperial protection, provided
she should succeed in throwing off the yoke of the French.
He thought nothing now was wanting to his glory, but to
be the deliverer of his country ; and the failure of the ex-
pedition against Naples emboldened him the same year,
1528, to hazard the attempt. Accordingly, presenting
himself before Genoa with 13 gallies, and about 500 men,
he made himself master of it in one night, without shed-
ding a drop of blood. This expedition procured him the
title of FATHER AND DELIVERER OF HIS COUNTRY, which W3S
adjudged him by a decree of the senate. The same decree
contained an order for a statue to be erected to him, and a
palace to be bought for him out of the public money. A
new government was then formed at Genoa, by his advice,
which is the government that subsisted until the late re-
volutions in Europe ; so that he was not only the deliverer,
but likewise the legislator of his country. Doria met with
all the advantages he could desire from his attachment to
268 D O R I A.
the emperor, who gave him his entire confidence, and
created him general of the sea, with a plenary and ab-
solute authority. He was then owner of twelve gallies,
which by his treaty were to be engaged in the service of
the emperor; and that number was now augmented to
twenty-two. Doria continued to signalize himself by se-
veral maritime expeditions, and rendered the most im-
portant services to the emperor. He took from the Turks,
in 1532, the towns of Coron and of Patras, on the coast of
Greece. The conquest of Tunis, and of the fort of Gou-
lette, where Charles V. resolved to act in person, in 1535,
was principally owing to the valour and good conduct of
Doria ; but it was against his advice and reiterated remon-
strances, that the emperor in 1541 set on foot the unfor-
tunate expedition to Algiers, where he lost a part of his
fleet, and a great number of soldiers, and cost Doria
eleven of his gallies. Nor was he more favoured by for-
tune in the affair of Prevezzo, in 1539. Being, with the
imperial fleet, in conjunction with that of the Venetians and
the gallies of the pope, in presence of the Turkish army,
commanded by Barbarossa, and far inferior to his, he
avoided the engagement under various pretences, and let
slip the opportunity of a certain victory. For this he has
been blamed by several historians. Some have even pre-
tended (and, at that time, says Brantome, it was the com-
mon report), that there was a secret agreement between
Barbarossa and him, by which it was settled, that decisive
opportunities should be mutually avoided, in order to pro-
long the war which rendered their services necessary, and
furnished them the means of enriching themselves. The
African corsairs had never a more formidable enemy to
contend with than Doria; the amount of the prizes taken
from them, by himself or his lieutenants, was immense.
The famous Dragut, among others, was captured by Jean-
iietino Doria, with nine of his vessels. The zeal and the
services of this great man were rewarded by Charles V.
with the order of the golden fleece, the investiture of the
principality of Melphes, and the marquisate of Tursi, in
the kingdom of Naples, to him and his heirs for ever; to-
gether with the dignity of grand chancellor of that king-
dom. It was not till about 1556, at the age of near ninety,
that he relinquished the care of his gallies, and the com-
mand of them in person. Then, sinking under the weight
of years, Philip II. king of Spain permittee] him to cou-
D O R I A. 269
stitute John Andrew Doria, his nephew, his lieutenant.
He terminated his long and glorious career on the 25th of
November, 1560, at the age of ninety-three, without off-
spring, though he had been married. He was very far
from leaving so much property as might have been pre-
sumed, from the great and frequent opportunities he had
of amassing wealth, which is accounted for by the excess
of his magnificence, and the little attention be paid to af-
fairs of ceconomy. Few men, without leaving a private
station, have ever played so great a part on the stage of
the world, as Doria : at home in Genoa, honoured by his
fellow citizens as the deliverer and the tutelar genius of
his country ; abroad, with his gallies alone, holding, as it
were, the rank of a maritime power. Few men have, even
in the course of a long life, enjoyed a more uninterrupted
course of prosperity. Twice was his ruin plotted ; once
in 1547, by the conspiracy of John Lewis de Fiesco, aimed
principally at him ; but the enterprise failed by the death
of its leader, at the very moment of its execution ; the se-
cond time, not long after, by that of Julius Cibo, which
was detected, and cost the author of it his head. These
two conspiracies had no other effect than to give still
greater accessions of authority and fame to this great man,
in Genoa, and through all Italy. He is accused by some
authors of having been too cruel at times, in support of
which they cite this instance : the marquis de Marignan,
who took Porto Hercole in 1555, having taken prisoner
Ottoboni de Fiesco, brother of Lewis, and an accomplice
in his conspiracy, delivered him over to Doria, to revenge
on him as he pleased the death of Jeannetino Doria, who
had been slain in that conspiracy. Andrew, fired with
rage, ordered Fiesco to be sewn up in a sack, and thrown
into the sea. Those who have written on the side of
Doria, have prudently passed over in silence this action,
as unworthy of him. Another anecdote is told, more fa-
vourable, and characteristic. One of his pilots, who was
frequently importuning him, coming up to him one day,
told him he had three words to say to him. " I grant it,"
returned Doria ; " but remember, that if thou speak more,
I will have thee hanged." The pilot, without being dis-
concerted, replied : " money or dismission." Andrew
Doria, being satisfied with this reply, ordered him to be
paid his arrears, and retained him in his service. '
• Universal Hist.— Robertson's Charles V.-Life of Doria, by Richer.-Dict, Hist.
270 D O R I G N Y.
DORIGNY (MICHAEL), a painter and engraver, was born
at St. Quentin, in France, in 1617, and manifesting an early
inclination for the arts, was placed under Simon Vonet, a
painter at that time of great reputation, whose daughter he
married, and whose manner as a painter he copied, but is bet-
ter known as an engraver. He performed his plates chiefly
with the point, in a bold, powerful style ; the lights are broad
and mass}-, especially upon the figures. But the marking
of the folds of the draperies, and the shadows upon the out-
lines of the flesh, are frequently so extravagantly dark, as to
produce a harsh, disagreeable effect, and sometimes to de-
stroy the harmony of the engraving entirely. Although
he understood the human figure, and in some instances it
was correctly drawn ; yet by following the manner of
Vouet, instead of the simple forms of nature, his outlines
were affected, and the extremities of his figures too much
neglected. This artist was made professor of the royal
academy of painting at Paris, where he died in 1665, aged
forty- eight. His works are said by abbe Marolles to have
consisted of 105 prints. Amongst these were, " the Ado-
ration of the Magi," the " Nativity of Christ," " Venus at
her toilet,'* " Venus, Hope, and Love, plucking the
feathers from the wings of Time," " Mercury and ther
Graces," and " the Rape of Europa," all from pictures of
Vouet. He also engraved from Le Seur, Sarasin, and other
masters. *
DORIGNY (LEWIS), an historical painter, the son of
the preceding, was born at Paris, in 1654, and was taught
the rudiments of the art by his father till he was ten years
of age ; when, being deprived of his instructor, by the
death of his parent, he became a disciple of Le Brun. la
that school he made a considerable progress ; but being
disappointed in his expectation of obtaining the first prize
at the academy, he travelled to Italy, and studied for
several years at Rome, Venice, and Verona. He is highly
commended by the French writers for quick conception,
lively colouring, and a spirited pencil ; yet they acknow-
ledge that a sketch for a cieling which he produced at
Paris, representing the Fall of Phaeton, was so much dis-
commended by Rigaud, Largilliere, and others, that in
great disgust he returned to Verona, where he ended his
days. His principal work is the dome of the great church
at Trent. He died at Verona in 1742. 2
* Strntt's Diet. * Argenville, TO'. IV,— Strutt and Pilkington.
D O R I G N Y. 271
DORIGNY (Sm NICHOLAS), an eminent engraver, the
brother of the preceding, was born in France in 1G57.
His father dying when he was very young, he was brought
up to the study of the law, which he pursued till about
thirty years of age : when being examined, in order to
being admitted to plead, the judge, finding him very deaf,
advised him to relinquish a profession to which one of his
senses was so ill adapted. He took the advice, and shut
himself up for a year to practise drawing, for which he
had probably better talents than for the law, sinee he
could sufficiently ground himself in the former in a twelve-
month. Repairing to Rome, and receiving instructions
from his brother Lewis, he followed painting for some
years, and having acquired great freedom of hand, he
was advised to try etching. Being of a flexile disposition,
or uncommonly observant of advice, he accordingly turned
to etching, and practised that for some more years ; but
happening to look into the works of Audran, he found he
had been in a wrong method, and took up Audran's man-
ner, which he pursued for ten years. He was now about
fifty years of age, had done many plates, and lastly the
gallery of Cupid and Psyche, after Raphael, when a new
difficulty struck him. Not having learned the handling and
ri-rht use of the graver, he despaired of attaining the har-
mony and perfection at whicn he aimed, and at once
abandoning engraving, he returned to his pencil — a word
from a friend, says lord Orford, would have thrown him
back to the law. However, after two months, he was per-
suaded to apply to the graver ; and receiving some hints
from one that used to engrave the writing under his plates,
he conquered that difficulty too, and began the seven
planets from Raphael. Mercury, his first, succeeded so
well, that he engraved four large pictures with oval tops,
and from thence proceeded to Raphael's " Transfiguration,'*
which raised his reputation above all the masters of that
time. At Rome he became known to several Englishmen
of rank, who persuaded him to come to England and en-
grave the Cartoons, then at Hampton Court. He arrived
in June 1711, but did not begin his drawings till Easter
following, the intervening time being spent in raising a
fund for his work. At first it was proposed that the plates
should be engraved at the queen's expence, and to be
given as presents to .the nobility, foreign princes, and
ministers. Lord-treasurer Oxford was much his friend ;
272 D O R I G N Y.
but Dorigny demanding 4000/. or 5000/. put a stop to that
plan ; yet the queen gave him an apartment at Hampton
Court, with necessary perquisites. The work, however,
was undertaken by subscription *, at four guineas a set,
and Dorigny sent for Dupuis and Dubosc from Paris to
assist him ; but from some disagreement that occurred,
they left him before the work was half completed. In
1719 he presented two complete sets to king George I.
and a set a-piece to the prince and princess; for which
the king gave him 100 guineas, and the prince a gold
medal. The duke of Devonshire, who had assisted him,
procured for him, in 1720, the honour of knighthood. His
eyes afterwards failing him, he returned to Paris, where,
in 1725, he was made a member of the royal academy of
painting, and died in 1746, aged eighty-nine.
His drawing was incorrect and affected ; the naked parts
of his figures are often falsely marked, and the extremities
are defective. His draperies are coarse, the folds stiff and
hard ; and a manner of his own pervades all his prints, so
that the style of the painter is constantly lost in that of the
engraver. Nor did he ever fail more than in working
from the paintings of Raphael. Basan, with an excusable
partiality for his countryman, says of him, " we have many
excellent prints by his hand, in which one justly admires
the good taste of his drawing, and the intelligent pic-
turesque manner, which he acquired by the judicious re-
flections he made upon the works of the great masters,
during the residence of twenty-two years in Italy." We
have of his prints the following, viz. " St. Peter curing the
Lame Man at the gate of the temple," from Civoli ; " The
Transfiguration," from Raphael ; " The Descent from the
Cross," from Daniello da Volterra ; " The Martyrdom of
St. Sebastian," from Domenichino, which two last are said
to be his best prints ; " The Trinity," from Guido; " The
History of Cupid and Psyche," from Raphael's pictures in
the Vatican ; " The Cartoons," seven very large plates
from the pictures of Raphael. He also engraved from
Annibale Caracci, Lanfranche, Louis Dorigny, and other
masters. l
DORINGK, or THORINGK (MATTHIAS), a writer of
the fifteenth century, was born at Kiritz, in the marche of
* Steele wrote the 226th Number of the Spectator to encourage this.
1 Walpole's Anecdotes.— Strutt's Diet.
DORINGK. 273
Brandenburgh, and was very young when he became a
monk of the order of St. Francis. After studying philo-
sophy and theology with distinguished success, he became
eminent not only as a preacher, but as a lecturer on the
scriptures at Erfurt, and professor of theology at Mag-
deburgh. He was likewise made minister of his order in
the province of Saxe, and held that office in 1431, at
which time the Landgrave of Thuringia wrote several let-
ters to him, instructing him to introduce some reform
amono1 the Franciscans of Eisenac. About the same time
he was sent as one of the deputies to the council of Basil,
by that party of his order who adhered to that council. It
was either then, or as some think, ten years later, that he
was raised to be general of his order. Whether he had
been dismissed, or whether he resigned the office of mi-
nister of Saxe, he held it only six years, and went after-
wards to pass the rest of his days in the monastery of
Kiritz, where he devoted himself to meditation and study,
and wrote the greater part of his works. The time of his
death is a disputed point. Casimir Oudin gives 1494 as
the date of that event, which Marchand, with some pro-
bability reduces to 1464.
While he was professor at Magdeburg, at which time
strictures and objections against the short commentaries
on the scriptures of Nicholas de Lyra, were published by
Paul de Burgos, Doringk undertook their defence and far-
ther illustration. The different pieces which he wrote on
these subjects were collected together, and inserted in an
edition comprehending the works of both those authors,
published in Paris, in six volumes folio, in 1590. This
work was well received, and went through several editions.
* w
To Doringk some have ascribed the " Miroir Historial,'*
commonly known by the name of " The Chronicle of Nu-
remberg," and therefore considered him as the forerunner
of the illustrious Luther, the Chronicle being written with
spirit and energy against the vices of the cardinals, the
bishops, and the popes, and also against jubilees and in-
dulgences. But there is more reason to think that the
Nuremberg Chronicle was the work of another hand, as
Marchand has detailed at considerable length. It appears
that a Chronicle which Doringk partly composed, may
have given rise to this supposition. It is entitled " Chro-
nica brevis et utilis ex speculo historiali Vincentii et alio-
rum, Eusebii, Hieronymi, &c. et alioruin historicorum,
VOL, XII. T
27* D O R I N G K.
collecta, et continuata a Matthia Doringk, usque ad an-
num 1494." This remains in MS. in the library of the
university of Leipsic, but the date at least must be wrong,
if Marchand's conjecture as to the period of Doringk's
death be just. He is said to have compiled also a con-
tinuation of the Chronicle of Theodore Engelhusius from
1420 to 1498, which is printed in the collection of Ger-
man historians by Mencken. In this Doringk confessedly
takes those liberties with the characters of the popes and
cardinals, which are to be found in the Nuremberg Chro-
nicle, and such a coincidence may have strengthened the
supposition that he was the author of the latter. The
reader will rind all that can be advanced on the subject in
our first authority. '
DORMAN (THOMAS) a popish divine, who acquired
some celebrity from the characters of Jewell, and Nowell,
against whom he wrote, was born at Berkhamstead in Hert-
fordshire, and educated by the care of his uncle Thomas
Dorman, of Amersham in Buckinghamshire. He was af-
terwarc'rs educated by Richard Reeve, a very celebrated
schoolmaster at Berkhamstead, whence he went to Win-
chester school, and afterwards to New College, Oxford,
where he was admitted probationer-fellow. From this
college, however, he removed to All Souls, of which he
was elected fellow in 1554. He appears at this time to
have been popishly affected, but afterwards avowed his
principles by quitting his fellowship and country, and
retiring first to Antwerp, and afterwards to Louvaine,
where he resumed his studies. He had taken his degrees
in law at Oxford, but now proceeded in divinity, and
became doctor in that faculty. During his abode at Lou-
vaine, he attacked Jewrell and Nowell, who replied to him
in the most satisfactory manner. In 1569, he was invited
to the English college at Doway, where he taught for some
time, and afterwards was beneficed at Tournay, in which
city he died either in 1572, or 1577. His works, of which
a particular account, with the answers, may be seen in
Mr. Archdeacon Churton's excellent " Life of Nowell,"
are, 1. " A proof of certain articles in Religion denied by
Mr. Jewell," Antwerp, 1564, 4to. 2. "A Request to Mr.
Jewell, that he keep his Promise, made by solemn pro-
testation in his late sermon had at Paul's Cross," London,
1 Marchand's Diet. Hist. — Moreri.
D O R M A N. 275
1567, 8vo. 3. "A Disproof of Mr. Alexander Nowell'a
Reproof," Antwerp, 1565, 4to. *
DORNAVIUS (GASPAR), a physician, orator, and poet,
born at Zigenrick in Voiglitland, died in 1631, in an ad-
vanced age, counsellor and physician to the princes of
Brieg and Lignitz. He is the author of several works,
which have been called learned fooleries. The most known
of them are, 1. " Amplritheatrum sapientiae Socraticie,'*
Hanover, 1619, 2 vols. fol. 2. " Homo diabolus ; hocest:
Auctorum veterum et recentiorum de calumnias natura et
remediis, sua lingua editorum, sylloge ;" Frankfort, 1618,
4to 3. " De increment© dominationis Turcicae," &c. 8
DORPIUS (MARTIN), a very learned divine, and the
friend of Erasmus, was born at Naaldrvvyck, in Holland,
and became professor of philosophy in the university of
Louvaine. He was also esteemed an able divine and
linguist, but died in the prime of life, May 31, 1525.
Besides some academical orations, he published " Dialogus
Veneris et Cupidinis, Herculem animi ancipitem in suam
militiam, invita virtute, propellentium;" " Complementum
Aularioe Plautinae, et Prologus in Militem ejusdem ;"
" Epistola de Hollandorum moribns ;" and " Oratio de
laudibus Aristotelis," against Laurentius Valla.
In 1515, when Erasmus was at Basil, Dorpius wrote
against his " Praise of Folly." In this, Jortin says he was
the first adversary of Erasmus, or at least the first who
wrote against him, condemning the " Praise of Folly," as
a satire upon all orders and professions. Erasmus replied
with much mildness; and Dorpius, who was then a very
young man, not only admitted his apology, but became
his friend. At his death he was honoured by Erasmus with
an epitaph, and deeply lamented by him as an irreparable
loss to the republic of letters. 3
DORSANE (ANTHONY), a French divine, was born of a
noble family at Issoudun, and educated in the seminary de
St. Magloire, at Paris, where he took a doctor's degree,
1695. After being official at Chalons, he became canon
of the church at Paris, and successively archdeacon, grand
chanter, and official. Dorsane always opposed the bull
Unigenitus, and retired when he found that M. de No-
' Ath. Ox. -vol. I.— Dndd's Ch. Hist. — Tanner. — Strype's Life of Parker,
p. 180. — Churlon's Life of Nowell. — Fuller's Worthies,
• Moreri. — Saxii Onomast.
3 Moreri. — I'oppen — Bibl. Belg. — Jortin's Erasmus.
T 2
276 D O R S A N E.
ailles was about to issue his mandate for its acceptance.
He died November 13, 1728, leaving an historical journal
of all that had passed respecting the bull Unigenitus, which
extends to 1728, 6 vols. 12mo, or 1756, 2 vols. 4to, which
last is reckoned the best edition. l
DOSITH^US, a reputed magician of Samaria, of the
first century, who pretended to be the Messiah, is looked
upon as the first heresiarch. but was more properly au
enemy to Christianity. He applied to himself all the pro-
phecies which are held by the church to regard Jesus
Christ. He had in his train thirty disciples, as many as
there are days in the month, and would not have any more.
He admitted among them a woman whom he called the
Moon. He observed the rite of circumcision, and fasted
often. To gain belief that he was taken from the earth
by an ascension into heaven, he retired into a cavern,
where, far from the prying eyes of the world, he starved
himself to death. The sect of the Dosithecans made great
account of their chastity, and regarded with contempt the
rest of mankind. A Uosithaean would not associate with
any one who did not think and live like him. They had
some singular practices, to which they were strongly at-
tached : such as that of remaining for twenty-four hours
in the same posture they happened to be in when the sab-
bath began, which they pretended to be founded upon the
prohibition of working during the sabbath. In conse-
quence of such practices the Dosithaeans thought them-
selves superior to the most enlightened men, to the most
virtuous citizens, to the most beneficent of men. This
sect subsisted in jEgypt till some time in the sixth century,
but ecclesiastical historians are much divided as to the
history of Dosithoeus and his sect.8
D'OSSAT. See OSSAT.
DOSSI (Dosso), an artist, was a native of Dosso in the
Ferrarese territory, and from the school of Costa went to
Rome, where he studied six years, and five at Venice ;
and formed a style which is sometimes compared to that of
Raphael, sometimes to that of Titian, and sometimes is
said to resemble Coreggio. His name, with that of Gio.
Batista his brother, has been ranked with the first names
of Italy by Ariosto, their countryman ; and the pictures of
Dosso prove that he did not owe the high rank in which
» Diet. Hist. s Ibid.
D O S S I. 277
he is placed by the poet, to partiality. The head of his
St. John at Patmos, in the church a' Lateran at Ferrara,
is a prodigy of expression. Of his most celebrated pic-
ture in the church of the Dominicans at Faenza, there
remains now only a copy : time destroyed the original.
It represents Christ among the Doctors, and even in the
copy the simplicity of the composition, the variety of
the characters, and the breadth and propriety of the
drapery, deserve admiration. Seven of his pictures, and
perhaps of his best time, are at Dresden, and the best
of these is that much praised one of the Four Doctors
of the Church. Dosso, in partnership with his brother,
was much employed in works for the court of Alphonso
and Ercole II. dukes of Ferrara; and to that connec-
tion with him, a character so much inferior to himself,
\ve may probably ascribe the aspersions and illiberal cri-
ticism of Vasari. The style of Dosso retains something
more obsolete than the style of the great masters with
whom he is compared ; but he has a novelty of invention
and drapery all his own ; and withal a colour which with
variety and boldness unites a general harmony. This ex-
cellent artist died about 1560, but his age has not been
ascertained. l
DOUCIN (LEWIS), a French Jesuit, a native of Vernon,
who died at Orleans Sept. 21, 1716, filled several high
offices belonging to his order, and was said to have been
the author of the famous problem levelled at the cardinal
de Noailles, " Whom are we to believe ? M. de Noailles,
archbishop of Paris, condemning the exposition of faith,
or M. de Noailles, bishop of Chalons, approving the moral
reflections ?" alluding to an apparent change in Noailles*
opinions of the disputes between the Jansenists and Jesuits.
Doucin was a member of the club or cabal which the Jan-
senists called the Norman cabal, and which was composed
of the Jesuits Tellier, Lallemand, and Daniel; and his zeal
and activity were of great service to them. During the
dispute on the famous bull Unigenitus, he was sent to
Rome, and was a powerful advocate for that measure. He
wrote a very curious piece of ecclesiastical history, entitled
" Histoire de Nestorianisme," Paris, 1698, 4to ; another,
entitled " Histoire de I'Origenisme," 4to, and " Memorial
abrege touchant 1'etat et les progres de Jansenistne en
* Pilkiugten, edit. 1810.
278 D O U C I N.
Hollande," written in 1697, when he accompanied the
count de Creci to the congress at Ryswick. He was also
the author of many pamphlets of the controversial kind,
strongly imbued with the spirit of party. l
DOUGHTY (JoiiN), an English divine, was born about
1598 at Martley near Worcester, and educated at Wor-
cester, whence at the age of sixteen he became a student
at Oxford. After he had taken his bachelor's degree, he
was one of those excellent scholars who were candidates
for a fellowship in Merton college, and after a severe
examination by the then warden, sir Henry Savile, Mr.
Doughty gained the election. He there completed his
degree of M. A. and entering into orders, became a very
popular and edifying preacher. In 1631 he served the
office of proctor only for four months, the proctors being
removed by the king ; but about that time he became
chaplain to the earl of Northumberland, and his college
bestowed on him the rectory of Lapworth in Warwickshire.
On the commencement of the rebellion, he left Lapworth,
to avoid sequestration and imprisonment, and joined the
king at Oxford. Soon after Dr. Duppa, bishop of Salis-
bury, gave him the lectureship of St. Edmund's in that
city, where he continued about two years ; but, on the de-
feat of the royal army in the West, he went to London,
and found an asylum in the house of sir Nathaniel Brent,
in Little Britain. After the restoration, his loyalty and
public services were rewarded with a prebend in West-
minster, and the rectory of Cheam in Surrey, and about
the same time he was created doctor of divinity. He died
at Westminster, after he had lived, says Wood, " to be
twice a child," December 25, 1672, and was buried in the
abbey.
He published, 1. " Two Sermons," on the abstruseness
of divine mysteries, and on church schisms, 1628, 4to.
2. " The King's Cause rationally, briefly, and plainly de-
bated, as it stands de facto, against the irrational misprision
of a deceived people," Oxford, 1644, 4to. 3. " Velita-
tiones polemicae ; or polemical short discussions of certain
particular and select questions," Lond. 1651 and 1652,
Svo. 4. " Analecta sacra j sive excursus philologici, &c."
Lond. 1658 and 1660, 8vo.»
» Diet. Hist.
« Ath. Ox. vol. II.— Wood's Colleges and Halls.
DOUGLAS. 279
DOUGLAS (GAWIN), bishop of Dunkeld, eminent for
his poetical talents, was descended from a noble family,
being the third son of Archibald, earl of Angus, and was
born in Scotland at the close of the year 147-1, or the Be-
ginning of 14-75. His father was very careful of his edu-
cation, and caused him to be early instructed in literature
and the sciences. He was intended by him for the church ;
and after having passed through a course of liberal educa-
tion in Scotland, is supposed to have travelled into foreign
countries, for his farther improvement in literature, parti-
cularly to Paris, where he finished his education. Alter
his return to Scotland, he obtained the office of provost, of
the collegiate church of St. Giles in Edinburgh, a post of
considerable dignity and revenue ; and was also made
rector of Heriot church. He was likewise appointed abbot
of the opulent convent of Aberbrothick ; and the queen-
mother, who was then regent of Scotland, and about this
« time married his nephew the earl of Angus, nominated
him to the archbishopric of St. Andrew's. But he was pre-
•vented from obtaining this dignity by a violent opposition
made to him at home, and by the refusal of the pope to
confirm his appointment. The queen-mother afterwards
promoted him to the bishopric of Dunkeld ; and for this
preferment obtained a bull in his favour from pope Leo X.
by the interest of her brother, Henry VIII. king of Eng-
land. But so strong an opposition was again made to him,
that he could not, for a considerable time, obtain peace-
able possession of this new preferment ; and was even im-
prisoned for more than a year, under pretence of having
acted illegally, in procuring a bull from the pope. He
was afterwards set at liberty, and consecrated bishop of
Dunkeld, by James Beaton, chancellor of Scotland, and
archbishop of Glasgow. After his consecration he went to
St. Andrew's, and thence to his own church at Dunkeld ;
where the first day, we are told, " he was most kindly re-
ceived by his clergy and people, all of them blessing God
for so worthy and learned a bishop." He still, however,
met with many obstructions; and, for some time, was for-
cibly kept out of the palace belonging to his diocese ; but
he at length obtained peaceable possession. He soon after
accompanied the duke of Albany, regent of Scotland, to
Paris, when that nobleman was sent to renew the ancient
league between Scotland and France. After his return to
Scotland, he made a short stay at Edinburgh, and then
280 DOUGLAS,
repaired to his diocese, where he applied himself diligently
to the duties of his episcopal office. He was also a pro-
moter of public-spirited works, and particularly finished
the stone bridge over the river Tay, opposite to his own
palace, which had been begun by his predecessor. We
meet with no farther particulars concerning him till some
years after, when he was at Edinburgh, during the dis-
putes between the earls of Arran and Angus. On that oc-
casion bishop Douglas reproved archbishop Beaton for
wearing armour, as inconsistent with the clerical character,
but was afterwards instrumental in saving his life. During
all these disorders in Scotland, it is said, that bishop
Douglas behaved " with that moderation and peaceable-
ness, which became a wise man and a religious prelate ;"
but the violence and animosity which then prevailed among
the different parties in Scotland, induced him to retire to
England. After his departure, a prosecution was com-
menced against him in Scotland ; but he was well received
in England, where he was treated with particular respect,
on account of the excellency of his character, and his
great abilities and learning. King Henry VII I. allowed
him a liberal pension ; and he became particularly intimate
with Polydore Vergil. He died of the plague, at London,
in 1521, or 1522, and was interred in the Savoy church, on
the left side of the tomb-stone of Thomas Halsay, bishop
of Laghlin, in Ireland ; on whose tomb-stone a short epi-
taph for bishop Douglas is inscribed. Hume, of Gods-
croft, in his " History of the Douglases," says, " Gawin
Douglas, bishop of Dunkeld, left behind him great appro-
bation of his virtues and love of his person in the hearts of
all good men ; for besides the nobility of his birth, the
dignity and comeliness of his personage, he was learned,
temperate, and of singular moderation of mind ; and in
these turbulent times had always carried himself among
the factions of the nobility equally, and with a mind to
make peace, and not to stir up parties ; which qualities
were very rare in a clergyman of those days."
Bishop Douglas is styled by Mr. Warton, one " of the
distinguished luminaries that marked the restoration of
letters in Scotland, at the commencement of the sixteenth
century, not only by a general eminence in elegant eru-
dition, but by a cultivation of the vernacular poetry of his
country." He translated the ,/Eneid of Virgil into Scottish
heroics, with the additional thirteenth book by Mapheus
DOUGLAS. 281
Vegius, at the request of Henry, earl of Sinclair, to whom
he was related. It was printed at London, in 1553, 4to,
under the following title : "The XIII Bukes of Eneados of
the fainose poete Virgill, translatet out of Latyne verses into
Scottish metir, bi the reverend father in God, Mayster
Gawin Douglas, bishop of Dunkel, and unkil to the erle
of Angus ; every Buke having his perticular prologe."
" This translation," says Mr. Warton, " is executed with
equal spirit and fidelity ; and is a proof that the lowland
Scotch and English languages were now nearly the same.
I mean the style of composition ; more especially in the
glaring affectation of anglicising Latin words." It cer-
tainly has great merit, though it was executed in the space
of about sixteen months. It appears, that he had pro-
jected this translation so early as the year 1501, but did
not complete it till about eleven years after. Besides this
work, bishop Douglas also wrote an original poem, called
*' The Palice of Honour," which was printed at London,
1553, 4to, and Edinburgh, 1579, 4to. Mr. Warton ob-
serves of this poem, that " it is a moral vision written in
1501, planned on the design of the Tablet of Cebes, and
imitated in the elegant Latin dialogue * De Tranquillitate
Anitni' of his countryman Florence Wilson, or Florentius
Volusenus. — The object of this allegory is to show the in-
stability and insufficiency of worldly pomp ; and to prove,
that a constant and undeviating habit of virtue is the only
way to true honour and happiness. The allegory is illus-
trated by a variety of examples of illustrious personages ;
not only of those who by a regular perseverance in honour-
able deeds gained admittance into this splendid habitation,
but of those who were excluded from it, by debasing the
dignity of their eminent stations with a vicious and un-
manly behaviour. It is addressed, as an apologue for the
conduct of a king, to James the Fourth, is adorned with
many pleasing incidents and adventures, and abounds
with genius and learning." Both the editions which have
been printed of this poem are extremely scarce.
In his youth, he likewise translated Ovid " De remedio
Amoris," which, says one of his biographers, " seems to
have been the first of all his works, and done not without
some view to himself; for, as Hume informs us, he had
felt the effects of love. But this was in his younger years,
and long before he was in holy orders. And he was very
soon freed from the tyranny of this unreasonable passion,
232 DOUGLAS.
as appears from the very translation, which he finished so
early, and seems to have proposed as an antidote against
its charms both to himself and others. He hath given also
many excellent precepts and advices against the danger of
immoderate love and unlawful pleasures, in his admirable
prologue to Virgil's fourth hook."
He also wrote an allegorical poem, called " King Hart,"
which was first published from an original manuscript by
]\lr. Pinkerton, in 1786, in his " Ancient Scotish Poems."
A new edition of bishop Douglas's translation of Virgil was
printed at Edinburgh, in 1710, in small folio, to which a
large and valuable glossary was added by tbe celebrated
printer Ruddiman, and a life of the author by the rev.
John Sage, who acknowledges the assistance he had from
.bishop Nicolson, sir Robert Sibbald, Dr. Pitcairne, and
Mr. Urry.1
DOUGLAS (JAMES), an eminent physician, and reader
of anatomy to the company of surgeons, was born in Scot-
land, in 1675. After completing his education he came
to London, and applied himself diligently to the study of
anatomy and surgery, which he both taught and practised
several years with success. Haller, who visited him when
he was in England, speaks of him in high terms of appro-
bation. He saw, he says, several of his anatomical pre-
parations made with great art and ingenuity, to shew the
motion of the joints, and the internal structure of the
bones. He was then meditating an extensive anatomical
work, which, however, he did not live to finish, and has
rot been since published. When Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Wil-
liam Hunter, came to London, he consulted with Dr.
Douglas on the method of improving himself in anatomy,
and Dr. Douglas took him into his house, to assist him in
his dissections ; at the same time he gave him an oppor-
tunity of attending St. George's hospital. The year fol-
lowing, 1742, Dr. Douglas died. Besides several com-
munications to the royal society, which are published in
their Transactions, containing the anatomy of the uterus,
with the neighbouring vessels, and some cases in surgery,
the doctor published in 1707, " Myographix comparator
1 Biog. Brit. — Life by Mr. Sage, — and by Dr. Scot, in Morison's Scotish
Poets, No. III. 17SS — Warton's Hist, of Poetry, vol. II. '280, Sic.— Macken-
zie's Scots Writers vol. II. — Irvine's Lives of the Scottish Poets. — Fawkes's
Life of Douiilas, and Description of May, 1752, 4to. — Chalmers's Life of RucU
diinan, p. 44. — Ceiisuta Liteiariaj vol. UL— Bibliographer, vol. U.
DOUGLAS. 283
specimen," or a comparative description of all the muscles
in a man, and in a quadruped (a dog), 12mo; containing
the most correct description of the muscles that had been
seen to that time. " Bibliographic anatomicoe specimen,
seu catalogus pene omnium auctorum qui ab Hippocrate
ad Harveium rem anatomicam illustrarunt," London, 1715,
8vo ; reprinted with improvements at Leyderi, in 1731.
" A description of the peritoneum, and of that part of the
membrana cellularis which lies on its outside," &c. Lon-
don, 1730, 4to, a very accurate and valuable work. "A
history of the lateral operation for the stone," 1726, 8vo ;
republished with an appendix, in 1733, comprising a com-
parison of the methods used by different lithotomists, par-
ticularly of that practised by Cheselden.
Dr. Douglas collected, at a great ex pence, all the edi-
tions of Horace which had been published from 1476 to
1739. Dr. Harwood, who mentions this circumstance in
his View of the Greek and Roman classics, which, however,
had been previously mentioned by Pope, observes that
this one author thus multiplied, must have constituted a
very considerable library. A very accurate catalogue of
those different editions is prefixed to the first volume of
Watson's Horace.
His brother, JOHN DOUGLAS, \vho was surgeon to the
Westminster infirmary, wrote several controversial pieces;
in one of them, entitled " Remarks on a late pompous
\vork," London, 1735, 8vo, he censures, with no small
degree of severity, as well as injustice, Cheselden's Ana-
tomy of the Bones ; in another, Some account of the state
of Midwifery in London, published in 1736, he criticises
with equal asperity the works of Charnberlen and Chap-
man, on the subject of midwifery ; and in a third he de-
cries the new invented forceps of Dr. Smellie. He also
wrote a work on the high operation for the stone, which
he practised, a dissertation on the venereal disease, pub-
lished in 1737, and " An account of Mortifications, and
of the surprizing effects of the bark in putting a stop to
their progress," London, 1729. The practice recom-
mended in this little work is still followed.1
DOUGLAS (JOHN), the late learned bishop of Salis-
bury, was born in Scotland, in 1721, the son of Mr. Archi-
bald Douglas, a merchant of Fittenween, in Fifeshire.
» Rees's Cyclopaedia,— Haller Bibl. AnaU
284- DOUGLAS.
His grandfather (who was a younger brother of the family
of Douglas of Tulliquilly, one of the oldest branches of
the house of Douglas now in existence), was an eminent
clergyman of the episcopal church of Scotland, and the
immediate successor of bishop Burnet in the living of
Salten, in East Lothian, from which preferment he was
ejected at the revolution, when presbyterianism was es-
tablished in Scotland. The subject of this memoir was
educated for some years at the school of Dunbar, but in
1736 was entered a commoner of St. Mary hall, Oxford,
where he remained till 1738, and then removed to Baliol-
college, on being elected an exhibitioner on bishop War-
ner's foundation. In 1741 he took his bachelor's degree;
and in 1742, in order to acquire a facility of speaking
French, he went abroad, and remained for some time at
Montreal, in Picardy, and afterwards at Ghent, in Flan-
ders. On his return to college, in 1743, he took his mas-
ter's degree, and having been ordained deacon, in 1744,
he was appointed to officiate as chaplain to the third regi-
ment of foot-guards, which he joined when serving with
the combined army in Flanders. During the time he
tilled this situation, he employed himself chiefly in the
study of modern languages. He was not an inactive
spectator of the battle of Fontenoy, April 29, 1745, on
which occasion he was employed in carrying orders from
general Campbell to the English who guarded the village
in which he and the other generals were stationed.
When a detachment of the army was ordered home to
suppress the rebellion in Scotland, he returned to England
in Sept. 1745, and having no longer any connexion with
the guards, went back to Baliol college, where he was
elected one of the exhibitioners on the more lucrative
foundation of Mr. Snell. In 1747 he was ordained priest,
and became curate of Tilehurst, near Reading ; and after-
wards of Dunstevv, in Oxfordshire, where he was residing,
when, at the recommendation of Dr. Charles Stuart, and
lady Allen, a particular friend of his mother, he was se-
lected by lord Bath as a tutor to accompany his son, lord
Pulteney, on his travels. Of the tour which he then made,
there exists a manuscript in Mr. Douglas's hand-writing.
It relates principally, if not exclusively, to the govern-
ments and political relations of the several countries through
which he passed. In October 1749, he returned to Eng-
land, and took possession of the free chapel of Eaton Con-
DOUGLAS. 285
stantine, and the donative of Uppington, in Shropshire,
on the presentation of lord Bath. Here he commenced
his literary career, by his able defence of Milton. Early in
1747, William Lander, a Scotch schoolmaster, made a most
flagitious attempt to subvert the reputation of Milton, by
shewing that he was a mere copier or translator of the
works of others, and that he was indebted to some mo-
dern Latin poets for the plan, arrangement, &c. of his
Paradise Lost. Many persons of considerable literary
talents gave credit to the tale of Lander, among whom was
the celebrated Dr. Johnson. Mr. Douglas, however, exa-
mined the merits of the case, considered most accurately the
evidence adduced by Lander, and soon found that the whole
was a most gross fabrication. He published in 1750 a de-
fence of Milton against Lander, entitled, " Milton vindi-
cated from the Charge of Plagiarism," &c. which appeared
in the form of a letter addressed to the earl of Bath.
Having justified the poet, he proceeded to charge the ac-
cuser with the most gross and manifest forgery, which he
substantiated to the entire satisfaction of the public. The
detection was indeed so clear and manifest, that the cri-
minal acknowledged his guilt, in a letter dictated by Dr.
Johnson, who abhorred the imposition he had practised.
In the same year (1750) he was presented by lord Bath
to the vicarage of High Ercal, in Shropshire, and vacated
Eaton Constantine. He only occasionally resided on his
livings, and at the desire of lord Bath, took a house in a
street contiguous to Bath-house, London, where he passed
the winter months. In the summer he generally accom-
panied lord Bath in his excursions to Tunbridge, Chelten-
ham, Shrewsbury, and Bath, and in his visits to the duke
of Cleveland, lord Lyttelton, &c. In Sept. 1752, he
married miss Dorothy Pershouse, sister of Richard Pers-
house, of Reynolds-hall, near Walsall, in Staffordshire ;
and within three months became a widower. In the spring
of 1754, he published "The Criterion, or Miracles ex-
amined, &c." in the form of a letter to an anonymous cor-
respondent, since known to have been Dr. Adam Smith,
with whom he probably became acquainted at Baliol-col-
lege, where Smith studied for some time. This was de-
signed as a refutation of the specious objections of Hume
and others to the reality of the miracles recorded in the
New Testament. Hume had maintained that there was as
good evidence for the miracles said to have taken place
286 DOUGLAS.
among the ancient heathens, and in later times, in the
church ot Rome, as there was for those recorded by the
evangelists, and said to have been performed by the power
of Christ. Mr. Douglas, who had shewn himself an acute
judge of the value of evidence, pointed out the distinction
between the pretended and true miracles, to the honour
of the Christian religion. Dr. Leland, in his " View of
Deisiical Writers," has made very honourable mention of
this work.
In 1755, he wrote a pamphlet entitled " An Apology
for the Clergy," against the Hutchinsonians ; and shortly
after, another pamphlet, entitled " The Destruction of
the French foretold by Ezekiel," against the same, being
an ironical defence of them aq;ainst the attack made on
O
them in the former pamphlet, which, however, was not
greatly wanted, as the Hutchinsonians had at that time
the more serious aid of Mr. (afterwards Dr.) George Home,
bishop of Norwich, who could himself, had he thought it
necessary, wield the weapon of irony with good effect.
In 1756, Mr. Douglas published his first pamphlet against
Archibald Bower, the purpose of which, as well as of what
followed against the same doubtful character (see BOWER),
was to shew that his History of the popes could not be de-
pended upon, and that the author had shewn himself ca-
pable of much misrepresentation and falsehood, which he
had indulged to secure the patronage of the protestants in
this country. In the autumn of the same year, Mr. Douglas
published "A serious Defence of the Administration," being
an ironical justification of their introducing foreign troops to
defend this country. In 1757 he published " Bower and
Tillemont compared ;" shortly afterwards, " A full Con-
futation of Bower's Three Defences ;" and in the spring
of 1758, " The complete and final Detection of Bower."
In the Easter term of this year he took his doctor's de-
gree, and was presented by, lord Bath to the perpetual
curacy of Kenley, in Shropshire. In 1759, he published
" The Conduct of a late noble commander candidly con-
sidered," as good a defence as the case would admit, of
lord George Sackville. It was suggested solely by the
attack so unfairly made on him by Ruff head, before it
could possibly be known whether he deserved censure.
No person was privy to Dr. Douglas's being the author of
this Defence, except his bookseller, Andrew Millar, to
whom he made a present of the copy. In the same mouth
DOUGLAS. 287
he wrote and published, " A Letter to two great men on
the approach of peace," a pamphlet which excited great
attention, and was generally attributed to lord Bath. In
1760 he wrote the preface to the translation of Hooke's
" Negociations in Scotland." He was this year appointed
one of his majesty's chaplains. In 1761 he published his
" Seasonable Hints from an honest man," as an exposition
of lord Bath's sentiments. In November 1762, he was,
through the interest of lord Bath, made canon of Windsor.
In December of that year, on the day on which the pre-
liminaries of peace were to be taken into consideration in
parliament, he wrote a paper called " The Sentiments of
a Frenchman," which was printed on a sheet, pasted on
the walls in every part of London, and distributed among
the members of parliament, as they entered the house.
In 1763 he superintended the publication of " Henry
Earl of Clarendon's Diary and Letters," and wrote the
preface which is prefixed to these papers. In June of this
year, he accompanied lord Bath to Spa, where he became
acquainted with the hereditary prince of Brunswick (the
late duke), from whom he received marked and particular
attention, and with whom he was afterwards in correspond-
ence. It is known that within a few years there existed
a series of letters written by him during his stay at Spa,
and also a book containing copies of all the letters which
he had written to, and received from, the prince of Bruns-
wick, on the state of parties, and the characters of their
leaders in this country, and on the policy and effect of its
continental connexions ; but as these have not been found
among his papers, there is reason to apprehend, that they
may have been destroyed, in consideration of some of the
persons being still alive, whose characters, conduct, and
principles, were the topics of that correspondence.
In 1764, his steady patron, lord Bath, died, and be-
queathed to him his library ; but general Pulteney wishing
that it should not be removed from Bath-house, he relin-
quished his claim, and accepted 1000/. in lieu of it. Ge-
neral Pulteney, at his death, left it to Dr. Douglas again,
and he again gave it up to the late sir William Pulteney,
for the same sum. It has been erroneously stated that the
valuable library, of which Dr. Douglas was possessed, had
been derived from this source, whereas it was entirely
collected by himself; and the Bath library, after the
death of sir William Pulteney, was lately sold by auction.
288 DOUGLAS.
In 1764 he exchanged his livings in Shropshire for that
of St. Austin and St. Faith, in Watling-street, London.
In April 1765 he married miss Elizabeth Rooke, daughter
of Henry Brudenell Rooke, esq. During this and the
preceding year*, as well as in 1768, he wrote several po-
litical papers, which were printed in the Public Advertiser;
and all ihe letters which appeared in that paper, in 1770
and 1771, under the signatures of Tacitus and Manlius,
were written by him. In 1773, he assisted sir John Dal-
rymple in the arrangement of his MSS. In 1776 he was
removed from the chapter of Windsor to that of St. Paul's.
During this and the subsequent year he was employed in
preparing captain Cook's Journal for publication, which
he undertook at the urgent request of lord Sandwich, then
first lord of the admiralty. In 1777, he assisted lord Hard-
wicke, in arranging and publishing his " Miscellaneous
Papers," which came out in the following year. In 1778
he was elected a member of the royal and antiquary so-
cieties. In 1781 he was again applied to by lord Sand-
wich, to reduce into a shape fit for publication, the Jour-
nal of capt. Cook's third and last voyage ; to which he
supplied the very able introduction, and the .notes. In
1781 he was chosen president of Sion-college for the year,
and preached the Latin sermon before that body.
In 1786 he was elected one of the vice-presidents of the
Society of Antiquaries, and framed their address on the
king's recovery, 17S9, both to his majesty and the queen.
In March 1787 he was elected one of the trustees of the
British Museum, and in September of the same year, was
appointed bishop of Carlisle. In 1788 he succeeded to
the deanery of Windsor, for which he vacated his residen-
tiaryship of St. Paul's. In 1789 he preached before the
house of lords, and of course published, the sermon on the
anniversary of king Charles's martyrdom. In June 1791,
he was translated to the see of Salisbury. In 1793 he
preached, which is also published, the anniversary sermon
before the society for propagating the Gospel. Having
been often and very urgently requested, by many of his
* In 1T67 he appears to have been begging that he would stop the pro-
suspected of writing a pamphlet en- gress of a report likely to be so inju-
titled " Observations on the Spanish rious to him. This, and Mr. Wilkes's
papers," and as Mr. Wilkes had in- answer, appeared in the papers of the
formed him of this suspicion, Dr. Doug- day.
las wrote a letter to that gentleman,
DOUGLAS. 289
literary friends, to publish a new edition of the " Cri-
terion," which had been many years out of print, he un-
dertook to revise that excellent work. He had a long time
before collected materials for a new and enlarged edition ;
but unfortunately they had been either mislaid or lost; or,
more probably, destroyed, by mistake, with some other
manuscripts. This circumstance, and his very advanced
ago, sufficiently accounts for his not having attempted to
alter materially the original work. In this statement, all
the avowed publications of the bishop are enumerated, but
he was concerned in many others, in which he was never
supposed to have had any part, and in some of no trifling
celebrity, whose nominal and reputed authors he per-
mitted to retain and enjoy exclusively all that credit of
which he could have justly laid claim to no inconsiderable
share. During a great part of his life, he was in corre-
spondence with some of the most eminent literary and po-
litical characters of the age. Few could have read more,
if indeed any one so much as, with such habits of incessant
application as those in which he persevered, almost to the
last hour of his long protracted life, he must necessarily
have read. In the strictest sense of the expression, he
never let one minute pass unimproved ; for he never
deemed any space of time too short to be employed in
reading ; nor was he ever seen by any of his family, when
not in company with strangers, without having a book or a
pen in his hand. He retained his faculties to the last, and
without any specific complaint, died on Monday, May 18,
1 807, without a struggle, «.in the arms of his son, to whom,
the public are indebted for the principal part of the pre-
ceding memoir. Bishop Douglas was interred on Monday
the 25th in a vault in St. George's chapel, Windsor.
This learned prelate enjoyed a very high share of repu-
tation during a very long life. He was, if not one of the
most profound, one of the most general scholars in the
kingdom, and the range of his information was most ex-
tensive. Nor was he more an enlightened scholar, than a
warm friend to men of learning and genius ; in private life,
he was amiable, communicative, and interesting in his
conversation and correspondence. As a divine, if he took
nio distinguished part in the controversies of the times, he
evinced by his " Criterion," his detection of Lauder, and
his controversy with Bovver, what a formidable antagonist
he could have proved, and what an unanswerable assertor
VOL. XII. U
190
of truth. His character likewise stood high for fidelity and
a conscientious discharge of the public duties of his station.,
and when not employed in the pulpit, for always counte-
nancing public worship by his presence. His punctuality
in this last respect is still remembered by the congregations
or i^t. Faith's and St. Paul's. In a word, as his talents re-
commended him in early life to patronage, so he soon de-
monstrated that he wanted only to be better known to be
thought deserving of the highest preferments. l
DOUJAT (JOHN), a learned French advocate and clas-
sical scholar, was born in 1609 at Toulouse, of a family
distinguished by their talents. After having studied clas-
sics and philosophy with great success, he went through a
course of law, and was admitted an advocate of the parlia-
ment of Toulouse in 1637. Removing afterwards with a
view to settle in Paris, he was admitted to the same rank
in the parliament of that city in 1639. Here his reputation
for knowledge and eloquence became soon acknowledged,
and in 1650, on the death of Balthazar Baro, he was chosen
into the French academy in his place. The following
year, according to the " Menagiana," he went to Bourges
as candidate for a law professorship, but we are not told
whether he succeeded ; in the same year, however, he
was appointed professor of the canon law in the royal col-
lege ; and four years after, in 1655, had the appointment
of regent doctor of the faculty of the law, and filled both
offices with the highest reputation, nor did their laborious
duties prevent him from finding sufficient leisure to write
many of his published works. He was also appointed pre-
ceptor to the dauphin in history, and became one of the
learned editors of the Dauphin classics. He died Oct. 27,
1688, in his 79th year, being then dean of the French
academy, of the royal college, and of the faculty of law.
He had an extensive knowledge of languages, wrote flu-
ently in Latin and French, and spoke Italian, Spanish,
Greek, Hebrew, and even the Turkish, and understood
English, German, and Sclavonic. With all these accom-
plishments, he was a man of singular modesty, probity,
and disinterestedness. His talents having procured him
what he thought a competent maintenance, he had no am-
bition for riches, and employed what was not necessary for
his own moderate wants, upon the poor.
» Gent.Mag. vol. LXXVIL
D O U J A T. 291
His works are numerous, and justify the fame he ac-
quired.. 1. " Dictionnaire de la' langue Toulousaine,"
lt)38, 8vo. This, which is without Doujat's name, was
printed at the end of Goudelin's works, which are in that
language. 2. " Grammaire Espagnole abregee," Paris,
1644, 12mo, also without his name. 3. " Moyen aise
d'apprendre les langues — mis en pratique sur la langue
Espagnole," ibid. 1646, 12rao. 4. " Joannis Dartis opera
Canonica, edente J. Doujatio," ibid. 1656, fol. 5. " De
Pace a Ludovico XIV. constituta, oratio panegyrica," ibid.
1660, 12mo. 6. " Historica juris Pontificii Synopsis,'*
added afterwards to his edition of Lancelot's Institutions,
ibid. 1670, 12mo. 7. " Synopsis Conciliorum et Chrono*
logia Patrum, Pontificum, Imperatorum," &c. ibid. 1671,
12mo. 8. A Latin translation of the " Panegyrique du-
Roy," by M. Pellison, ibid. 1671, 4to. 9. " La Clef du
grand Pouille de France," ibid. 1671, 2 volumes, 12mo.
10. " Specimen Juris Canonici apud Gallos usu recepti,"
&c. ibid. 1671, 2 vols. 12mo, often reprinted. 11. A
French translation of Velleius Paterculus, with notes, ibid.
1672 and 1708, 12mo. 12. " Histoire du droit Canoni-
que," ibid. 1675, 12mo. 13. " Historia Juris Civilis Ro-
manorum," ibid. 1678, 12mo. 14. " Francisci Florentii
opera Canonica et Juridica," with additions, ibid. 1679,
2 vols. 4to. 15. The Delphin " Livy," ibid. 1679, 6 vols.
4to. 16. " Theophili Antecessoris Institutionum lib. qua-
tuor," with notes, &c. ibid. 1681, 2 vols. 12mo. 17. " In-
stitutiones Juris Canonici a J. P. Lancelotto Perusino con-
scriptae," with notes, ibid. 1685, 2 vols. 12mo. Inconse-
quence of a new statute of the university of Paris, every
regent doctor was obliged to lecture for three years on some
branch of jurisprudence, and Doujat in obedience to this
statute lectured on the subject of this work. 18. " Pra?-
notionum canonicarum libri quinque," ibid. Paris, 1687,
4to. 19. " Eloges des personnes illustres de 1' Ancient
Testament^ pour donner quelque teinture de 1'Histoire Sa-
cree, a I'usage de monseigneur le due de Bourgogne,'"
ibid. 1688, 8vo, in verse, but not of the best sort. 20. "Re-
ponse a M. Furetiere," Hague, 1688, 4to. 21. " Lettre
touchant un passage conteste de Tite Live," printed in the
Journal des Savans, Dec. 1685. 22. " Martini Bracarensis
episcopi Collectio Canon um Oriental mm." This Doujat
revised and corrected, for insertion in the " Bibl. Juris
Canon, veteris," by Justell, Paris, 1661, 2 vols. fol. Dou«
u 2
J92 T> O U J A T.
jat wrote also several shorter pieces in the literary journals,
some prefaces, &c. and Irad made some progress in a
history of the regency of queen Anne of Austria, in con-
sequence of the king's having appointed him historiogra-
pher; but before a sheet had been printed, it was thought
proper to suppress it. In the British Museum catalogue
we find an article attributed to him under the title " Sup-
plemeuta Lacunarum Livianavum," 4to, without date, and
probably part of his edition of Livy. *
DO US A (JANUS), a very learned man, was born of a
rioble family at Nortwick in Holland, 1545. He lost his
parents when very young, and was sent to several schools ;
and to one at Paris among the rest, where he made a great
progress in Greek and Latin. When he had finished his
education, he returned to his own country, and married ;
and though he was scarcely grown up, he applied himself
to affairs of state, and was soon made a curator of the
banks and ditches, which post he held above twenty years,
and then resigned it. But Dousa was not only a scholar
and a statesman, but likewise a soldier; and he behaved
himself so well in that capacity at the siege of Leyden in
1574, that the prince of Orange thought he could commit
the government of the town to none so properly as to him.
In 1575 the university was founded there, and Dousa made
first curator of it ; for which place he was well fitted, as
well on account of his learning as by his other deserts.
His learning was indeed prodigious ; and he had such a
menfory, that he could at once give an answer to any
thing that was asked him, relating to ancient or modern
history, or, in short, to any branch of literature. He was,
says Melchior Adam, and, after him, Thuanus, a kind of
living library ; the Varro of Holland, and the oracle of the
university of Leyden. His genius lay principally towards
poetry, and his various productions in verse were nu-
merous : he even composed the annals of his own country,
which he had collected from the public archives, in verse,
which was published at Leyden 1601, 4to, and reprinted
in 1617 with a commentary by Grotius. He wrote also
critical notes upon Horace, Sallust, Plautus, Petronius,
Catullus, Tibullus, &c. His moral qualities are said to
have been no less meritorious than his intellectual and
literary ; for he was modest, humane, benevolentj and affa-
* Niceren, ?oi. XVI. — MorerL
D O U S A. 291
ble. He was admitted into the supreme assembly of the
nation, where he kept his seat, and discharged his office
worthily, for the last thirteen years of his life. He died
Oct. 12, 1604, and his funeral oration was made by Daniel
Heinsius. Of his works, we have seen, 1. " Couiin. in
Catullum, Tibullum, et Horatium," Antwerp, 1580, 12mo.
2. " Libri tres Prascidaneorum in Petronium Arbitrmn,"
Leyden, 1583, 8vo. 3. " Epodon ex puris lambis," Ant.
1514, 8vo. 4. " Plautinae Explicationes," Leyden, 1587,
16mo. 5. " Poemata," ibid. 1607, 12mo. 6. " Odarum
Britannicarum liber, ad Elizabetham reginam, et Jani
Dousae filii Britannicorum carminum silva," Leyden, 1586,
4to; and 7. lt Elegiarum libri duo, et Epigrammatum liber
unus ; cum Justi Lipsii aliorumque ad eundem carminibus,"
ibid. 1586, 4to. In some catalogues, however, the works
of the father and son seem be confounded.
He left four sons behind him ; the eldest of whom, JANUS
DOUSA, would, if he had lived, have been a more extraor-
dinary man than his father. Joseph Scaliger calls him the
ornament of the world; and says, that in the flower of his
age he had reached the same maturity of wisdom and eru-
dition, as others might expect to attain after a life spent
in study. Grotius also assures us, that his poems ex-
ceeded those of his father ; whom he assisted in composing
the Annals of Holland. He was born in 1572; and, be-
fore he was well out of infancy, became, through the
great care of his father, not only a good linguist and poet,
but also a good philosopher and mathematician. To all
this he afterwards added an exquisite knowledge of the
civil law and of history. Besides a great many poems,
, which he composed in a very tender age, we have his notes
and observations upon several Latin poets. Those upon
Plautus were the product of his sixteenth year; and he
was not above nineteen when he published his book " De
Rebus Ccelestibus," and his " Echo, sive Lusus imaginis
jocose." His commentaries upon Catullus, Tibullus, and
Propertius, were published .the same year. His extraor-
dinary fame and merit caused him to be made preceptor to
the prince of Orange, and afterwards first librarian of the
university of Leyden. He died at the Hague, in his re-
turn from Germany in 1597, when lie had not quite com-
pleted his 26th year.
Dousa's three other sons, GEORGE, FRANCIS, and THEO-
DORE, were all of them men of learning, though not so -
D o u s A.
eminent as Janus. George was a good linguist; travelled
to Constantinople; and published a relation of his journey,
with several inscriptions which he found there and else-
where. Also, in 1607, he printed George Cedrenus's
book, entitled, " De originibus urbis Constantinopolitanae,"
with Meursius's notes. Francis was far from wanting learn-
ing : for in 1600 he published the epistles of Julius Caesar
Scaliger; his annotations upon Aristotle's history of Ani-
mals ; and some fragments of Lucilius, with notes of his
own upon them. Theodore, lord of Barkenstyen, pub-
lished the " Chronicon" of George Logotheta with notes,
in 1614; and in 1638 wrote a treatise, called "Farrago
echoica variarum linguarum, variorumque auctorum," &C.1
DOUW (GERHARD), an eminent artist, was born at
Leyden in 1613, and after receiving some instructions
from Dolendo, an engraver, and Kouwhoorn, a glass-
painter, at the age of fifteen became a disciple of Rem-
brandt, with whom he continued three years. Rembrandt
taught him the principles of colouring, and the chiaro-
scuro, to which knowledge Douw added a delicacy of pen-
cil, and a patience in working up his colours to the highest
degree of neatness, superior to any other, master. His
pictures are usually of a small size, with figures exquisitely
touched, transparent and delicate. Every object is a mi-
nute copy of nature, and appears perfectly natural in
colour, freshness, and force. In painting portraits he
used a concave mirror, and sometimes looked at his ori-
ginal through a frame with many exact squares of fine silk;
practices now disused, except by some miniature painters
who still use the mirror.
Douw's pictures have always been high-priced in his
own country, and in every part of Europe ; in finishing
them he was curious and patient beyond example. Of
this Sandrart gives a singular instance. Having once, in
company with Bamboccio, visited Gerhard Douw, they
admired a picture which he was then painting, and parti-
cularly the excessive neatness of a broom, when Douw
told them, he should spend three days more in working on
that broom, before he should account it entirely complete.
In a family picture of Mrs. Spiering, the same author says,
that the lady had sat five days for the finishing of one of
1 Niceron, vol. XVIII. — Freheri Theatrum. — Foppeu Bibl. Belg. — Moreri.—
JJlount's Ceosura. — Baillet Jugemens. — Saxii Onomast.
D O U W. 29*
Iyer hands that leaned on an arm-chair. For that reason,
not many would sit to him for their portraits ; and he
therefore indulged himself mostly in works of fancy, in
which he could introduce objects of still life, and employ
as much time on them as suited his own inclination.
Houbraken testifies, that his great patron Mr. Spiering
allowed him a thousand guilders a year, and paid beside
whatever he demanded for his pictures, and purchased some
of them for their weight in silver; but Sandrart, with more
probability, assures us, that the thousand guilders a year
were paid to Gerhard, on no other consideration than that
the artist should give his benefactor the option of every
picture he painted, for which he was immediately to re-
ceive the utmost of his demand.
Douvv appears, incontestably, tabe the most wonderful
in his finishing of all the Flemish masters. Every thing
that came from his pencil is precious, and his colouring
hath exactly the true and the lovely tints of nature ; nor
do his colours appear tortured, nor is their vigour lessened
by his patient pencil ; for, whatever pains he may have
taken, there is no look of labour or stiffness ; and his pic-
tures are remarkable, not only for retaining their original
lustre, but for having the same beautiful effect at a proper
distance, as they have when brought to the nearest view.
The most capital picture of this master in Holland was, not
very long since, in the possession of the widow Van Hoek,
at Amsterdam ; it was of a size larger than usual, being
three feet high, by two feet six inches broad, within the
frame. In it two rooms are represented ; in the first
(where there appears a curious piece of tapestry, as a sepa-
ration of the apartments) there is a pretty figure of a
woman giving suck to a child ; at her side is a cradle, and
a table covered with tapestry, on which is placed a gilt
lamp, and some pieces of still life. In the second apart-
ment is a surgeon's shop, with a countryman undergoing
an operation, and a woman standing by him with several
utensils. The folding-doors show on one side a study, and
a man making a pen by candle-light, and on the other side,
a school with boys writing and sitting at different tables.
At Turin are several pictures by Gerhard Douw, wonder-
fully beautiful ; especially one, of a doctor attending a
sick woman, and surveying an urinal. The execution of
that painting is astonishingly fine ; and although the sha-
dows appear a little too dark, the whole has an inexpres-
296 D O U W.
sible effect. In the gallery at Florence, there is a night-
piece by candle-light, which is exquisitely finished ; and
in the same apartment, a mountebank attended by a num-
ber of figures, which, says Pilkington, it seems impossible
either sufficiently to commend, or to describe. Sir Joshua
Reynolds, however, has contrived to describe it without
much commendation, as a picture that is very highly
finished, but has nothing interesting in it. The heads
have no character, nor are any circumstances of humour
introduced. The only incident is a very dirty one, which
every observer must wish had been omitted ; that of a
woman clouting a child. The rest of the figures are stand-
ing round, without invention or novelty of any kind. After
other objections to this picture, sir Joshua observes that
the single figure of the woman holding a hare, in Mr.
Hope's collection, is worth more than this large picture,
in which perhaps there is ten times the quantity of work.
Gerhard Douw died very opulent in 1674. '
DOVIZI, or DIVISIO (BERNARD), better known by
the name of BEKNAKD of BIBIENA, an eminent cardinal,
was born of a reputable family at Bibiena in 1470, and
was sent at nine years of age to pursue his studies at Flo-
rence. His family connexions introduced him into the
house of the Medici, and such was the assiduity with which
he availed himself of the opportunities of instruction there
afforded him, that at the age of seventeen, he had attained
a great facility of Latin composition, and was soon after-
wards selected by Lorenzo de Medici, as one of his pri-
vate secretaries. He was also the principal director of the
studies of John de Medici, afterwards Leo X. and when
the honours of the church were bestowed on his pupil, the
principal care of his pecuniary concerns was intrusted to
Dovizi ; in the execution of which he rendered his patron
such important services, and conducted himself with so
much vigilance and integrity, that some have not hesitated
to ascribe to him, in a considerable degree, the future
eminence of his pupil, who, when made pope, gave his
tutor a cardinal's cap. He also employed himself in seve-
ral negociations. He sent him as legate to the army raised
against the duke of Urbino ; and also to the emperor
Maximilian. In 1518 he was sent as legate to France to
persuade the king, to join in the crusade against the Turks,
* Argenville, vol. III. — Descamps, vol. II. — Sir J. Reynolds's Works.
D O V I Z I. 297
in which he would have succeeded, had not the pope dis-
couraged the enterprize by his unreasonable distrust and
caballing against France. Bibiena remonstrated against
this conduct with cjreat freedom in his letters to Rome.
O '
which is supposed to have hastened his death in Nov. 1520.
Some have asserted that he was poisoned by the order or
contrivance of Leo X. which is positively denied by the
historian of that pontiff, as utterly destitute of proof.
Bibiena, although an ecclesiastic, partook of the licen-
tious character of the papal court and times to which he
belonged, but was a friend to literature, and a patron of
the arts. In his temper and manners he was affable, and
even facetious, as appears by the representation of him
in Castiglione's " Courtier," in which he is introduced as
one of the interlocutors. Of his turn for literature, he
gave a sufficient proof in his celebrated comedy " La Ca-
landria," which, although not, as some have asserted, the
earliest comedy which modern times have produced, de-
servedly obtained great reputation for its author, and
merits, even at this day, no small share of approbation.
It was first printed at Siena in 1521, afterwards at Rome,
1524, Venice, 1552 and 1562, and at Florence in 1558. *
DOWN HAM (GEORGE), bishop of Derry in Ireland,
the son of William Downham, bishop of Chester, was born
there. He was educated at Cambridge, was elected a fel-
low of Christ college in 1585, and was afterwards professor
of logic. -Fuller says that no man was better skilled in
Aristotle and Ramus, and terms him "the top-twig of that
branch." He was esteemed a man of learning, and was
chaplain to James I. by whom he was advanced to the see
of Derry, by letters dated Sept. 6, 1616, and was conse-
crated Oct. 6, of the same year. During the government
of the lord chancellor Loftus, and the earl of Cork, he ob-
tained a commission, by an immediate warrant from him-
self to arrest, apprehend, and attach the bodies of all peo-
ple within his jurisdiction, who should decline the same,
or should refuse to appear upon lawful citation, or appear-
ing should refuse to obey the sentence given against
them, and authority to bind them in recognizances, with
sureties or without, to appear at the council-table to answer
such contempts. The like commission was renewed to
him by the lord deputy Wentworth, Oct. 3, 1633. Both
' Tiraboschi. — Roscoe's Leo. — Moreri in Bernard.
29S D O W N H A M.
were obtained upon his information, that his diocese
abounded with all manner of delinquents, who refused obe-
dience to all spiritual processes. He died at Londonderry
April 17, 1634, and was buried there in the cathedral. He
had a brother named John, who was an eminent divine and
a writer. His own works are very numerous, and evince
his theological abilities and piety. 1. " A treatise con-
cerning Antichrist, in two books," Lond. 1603, 4to. 2.
" The Christian's Sanctuary," ibid. 1604, 4to. 3. " Lec-
tures upon the Fifteenth Psalm," ibid. 1604, -4to. 4.
" Sermon at the consecration of the Bishop of Bath and
Wells, upon Apocalypse i. 20," ibid. 160S, 4to. 5. " De-
fence of the same Sermon against a nameless author," ibid.
1611,4to. 6. " Two Sermons, the one commending the
ministry in general, the other, the office of bishops in par-
ticular," ibid. 1608. The latter of these, but enlarged, is
the consecration sermon above mentioned. 7. " Papa
Antichristus, seu Diatriba de Antichristo," ibid. 1620, a
different treatise from the former against Antichrist. 8.
O
" The Covenant of Grace, or an Exposition upon Luke i.
73, 74, 75," Dublin, 1631, 8vo. 9. " A treatise on Justi-
fication," Lond. 1633, folio. 10. " The Christian's Free-
dom, or the doctrine of Christian Liberty," Oxford, 1635,
8vo. 11. "An Abstract of the Duties commanded, and
sins forbidden in the Law of God," Lond. 1635, 8vo. 12.
" A godly and learned Treatise of Prayer," Lond. 1640,
4to. These three last were posthumous. — His brother JOHN,
above mentioned, was likewise educated at Cambridge,
where he took the degree of B. D. He exercised his mi-
nistry in different parts of London, and was the first who
preached the Tuesday's lecture in St. Bartholomew Ex-
change, which he did with great reputation. His princi-
pal work is entitled "The Christian Warfare." He died in
1644. l
DOWNING (CALYBUTE), an English divine, the eldest
son of Cal^bute Downing of Shennington, in Gloucester-
shire, gent, was born in 1606, and in 1623 became a com-
moner of Oriel college, Oxford, where he took one degree
in arts. His master's degree, according to Wood, he took
at Cambridge, or abroad ; after which, entering into orders,
he held the vicarage of Hackney, near London, with the
parsonage of Hickford, in Buckinghamshire. But these not
' Sir James Ware's Works, by Harris.
DOWNING. 299
being sufficient for his ambition, he stood in competition
with Dr. Gilbert Sheldon for the wardenship of All -soul's ;
and losing that, was a suitor to be chaplain to the earl of
Stratford, lord lieutenant of Ireland, thinking that road
might lead to a bishopric. But failing there also, he joined
the parliament party, and became a great promoter of
their designs ; and in a sermon preached before the ar-
tillery-company, Sept. 1, 1640, delivered this doctrine:
" That for tiie defence of religion, and reformation of the
church, it was lawful to take up arms against the king ;"
but fearing to be called in question for this assertion, he
retired to the house of Robert earl of Warwick, at Little
Lees, in Essex. After this he became chaplain to the
lord Robert's regiment, and in 1643 was one of the as-
sembly of divines ; but died in the midst of his career, in
1644. He has some political discourses and sermons in
print, enumerated by Wood. He was father of sir George
Downing, made by king Charles II. secretary to the trea-
sury, and one of the commissioners for the customs.1
DOWNMAN (HUGH), an ingenious physician and poet,
the son of a country gentleman of both his names, was
born at Newton House, in the village of Newton St. Cyrus,
near Exeter, in 1740, and educated at the grammar-school
of Exeter. About 1758 he was entered of Baliol college,
Oxford, where he remained until he took his bachelor's
degree, and in 1762 was ordained by bishop Lavington in
the cathedral of Exeter, but he had little attachment to the
church, nor were his prospects very alluring. In 1765 he
repaired to Edinburgh, with a view to study medicine, and
took up his abode in the house of Dr. Blacklock, who,
having read his first poetical production, " The Land of
the Muses," bestowed encouraging praise. This poem
was published at Edinburgh in 1768, but has never since
been reprinted. To it were added " Poems on several
occasions," of various merit, but all indicating a consi-
derable share of poetical taste. In 1769, Mr. Downman
came to London, where he attended the hospitals and
lectures for one winter. He then received his master's
degree at Cambridge, and soon after settled as a prac-
titioner at Exeter, and married the daughter of Dr. An-
drew, an eminent physician in that city. Here his practice
was rapidly increasing, when, in 1778, the severity of a
chronic complaint, contracted in his earlier years, obliged
I Ath. Ox. yol. II.
DOWNMAN.
him to consult his health by change of air, and retirement,
during- which he amused himself by literary efforts. The
first was his tragedy of " Lucius ,'unius Brutus," published
in 1779, in which there are some poetical beauties, but not
enough of the dramatic form to suit the stage. " Beli-
sarius," his second dramatic attempt, was performed at
the Exeter theatre, but with little success; but his third,
" Editha," brought out at that theatre in 1781, was per-
formed for seventeen nights. This, however, must be im-
puted to its being founded on a local event peculiarly
interesting to an Exeter audience ; in other respects all his
tragedies must be allowed to be better adapted to the closet
than the stage.
About 1777, a design was entertained of publishing a
translation of Voltaire's works, and the poetical department
was entrusted to Dr, Downman. The plan was too exten-
sive, and those who undertook it failed. The publication,
was consequently discontinued ; but a volume of the tra-
gedies, containing CEdipus, Mariamne, Brutus, and The
Death of Caesar, was printed in 1781. It might be sus-
pected, that the expressive energy of our author's lan-
guage was little suitable to the expanded tinsel of a French
dramatist; yt't he is thought to have succeeded in fami-
liarizing these tragedies to the English reader. When
Mr. Polwhele, in 1792, collected the original miscellaneous
poetry of Devonshire ai>d Cornwall, Dr. Downman, at
that time his intimate friend, was a large contributor. His
pen indeed was seldom from his hand, and his poetical
stock was almost inexhaustible; so that, while many poems
were distinguished by his signature, he could claim many
others marked with single initials.
About the same period a literary society was established
at Exeter, consisting at first of nine, afterwards augmented
to twelve members. The design of this meeting was, to
unite talents of different descriptions, and genius directed
to different pursuits. In a society thus formed, conversa-
tion would probably rise superior to the usual discussion of
the topics of the day, and by talents thus combined or
contrasted each might improve with the assistance of ano-
ther. An essay on any subject, except a strictly profes-
sional one, was read by every member in his turn, which
might suggest a subject of discussion, if no more interest-
ing one occurred. This society for nearly twelve years
was conducted with equal spirit and good humour. A
volume of its essays has been published, and materials for
D O W N M A N. 301
another have been preserved ; but, in a later period, the
communications were less numerous, thon ;h the society
was supported with equal harmony till 1808, when the
impaired health of Dr. Downman, its firs: founder and
chief promoter, damped its spirit, and the meetings were
discontinued. In the collections of this s )cirty are the
few prose compositions of the subject of this memoir,
though generally united with poetry. The very judicious
address to the members, on their first meeting, was from
his pen ; and the defence of Pindar from the imputation,
of writing for hire, supposed to be countenanced by pas-
sages in the llth Pythian, and the 2d Isthmean odes,
accompanied by a new translation of each, displays equally
his learning and the acuteness of his critical talents. la
the same volume is an essay " on the origin and mythology
of the Serpent Worship," tracing this superstition to its
earliest periods, in Judea, ^gypt, and Greece, a subject
which he afterwards pursued with respect to the worship
of the sun and fire, in an exclusive essay, not published,
in which, pursuing the track of Mr. Bryant, he chiefly
rests on the insecure and delusive hasis of etymology.
His other contributions were an essay on the shields of
Hercules and Achilles, and various poetical pieces. But
his chief reputation is founded on his excellent didactic
poem of " Infancy," first published in 1771, and received
with such avidity by the public, that he lived to see the
seventh edition. He had now so far recovered as to be
able to resume his profession, and his practice for several
years was extensive and successful. In 1805, increasing
infirmities warned him to retire; and, weaning himself
from business by a visit to his friends in Hampshire and
London, he declared his intention of resigning it entirely.
This determination met with a strenuous opposition. He
was urged to contract his limits ; to give occasional assist-
ance in consultation, at the least inconvenient hours ; in
short, to continue his useful labours in the way most easy
to himself; but every solicitation was in vain, and he re-
tired to private life with the eulogies and blessings of all
around him. In his retirement, he made few original
efforts. He reviewed his former labours, and a selection
of those which he preferred is reserved in MS. The
" Poems sacred to Love and Beauty," appear to be some
of these early efforts ; and he published with his last cor-
rections, the seventh edition of " Infancy." He died at
302 DOWN M A X.
deeply lamented as an ingenious
»lar, an able and humane, physician, and an amiable
man. '
DKABICIUS (Nicn , was
/, in Moraviii, v. IH-IC hi - '
i naster. I. .16,
ami • d Ins function at DrAoiut/ ; and wlicn In- was
obh . retreat in i mut
of i .<:ts of iL -ainst t!.« :ant
.D I.eidnit/, a town in Hungary, in
no hopes of being restored to his church,
be turned woollen -draper; in which occupation hU wife,
who was tlu: daughter of one, was of • .ire to him.
Afterwards lie forgot the decorum of his lornu-r character
so much, that la- decame a hard drinker; and the other
ministers, justly scandali/ed at his conduct, informed their
superiors of it, who, in a synod called in Poland, examined
into the affair, and resolved that Drahicius should b
peii'led from the ministry, if he did not live in a more
edifying manner. This obliged him to behave himself
with more decency, in public at least.
VV hen he was upwards of fifty years of age, he commo;
prophet. He bad his first vision in the night of Feb. 23,
163S, and the second in the night of Jan. 23, 1G43. The
f:r>t vision promised him in general great armies from the
north and east, which should crush the house of Austria ;
the second declared particularly, that Ragotski, prince of
Transylvania, should command the army from the e
and ordered Drabicins to inform his brethren, that <
was about to restore them to their own country, and to
venge the injuries done to his people ; and that they should
prepare themselves for this deliverance by ;md
prayer. He received orders to write down what 1,
revealed to him ; and to begin in the manner of the an-
cient prophets, " The word of the Lord came unto me.'*
His \isions, however, were not much regarded at first.
These two were followed l>v many others in the same year,
''> ; and there was one, which ordered, that he should
open tlu; whole allair to (.'omenius, who was then at. Kl-
biii4, in Prussia. One of his \ isions, in 1644, assured bin
that the imperial troops should not destroy the n
They committed great ravages upon the territories of Ra>
» Geut Mag. rol. LXXX.
D R A B I C I U S. 303
gotski, plundered the town of Leidnitz, and besieged the
castle. Drabicius shut himself up there, and did not de-
pend so entirely upon the divine assurances as to think
human means unnecessary. He even set his hand to the
works : " he would not only be present," says Comenius,
who blames him for it, " but also fire one of the cannon
himself; whereas, it would have been more proper for
him to have been in a corner, and to have applied himself
to prayer. But the imprudent zeal of this new Peter,
presuming to defend the Lord with the material sword,
was chastised by the Lord himself, who permitted part of
the flame to recoil upon his face, and to hurt one of his eyes.'*
The imperialists raised the siege ; but soon after besieged
the place again, and took it. The refugees were plun-
dered, and Drabicius fell into the hands of the imperialists.
This did not prevent him from going to Ragotski, and
telling him, Aug. 1645, that God commanded him to de-
stroy the house of Austria and the pope ; and that, " if
he refused to attack that nest of vipers, he would draw
down upon his family a general ruin." The prince already
knew that Drabicius bad assumed the character of a pro-
phet ; for Drabicius, according to the repeated orders
which he had received in his ecstacies, had sent him a
copy of his revelations, which Ragotski threw into the fire.
The death of that prince, in Oct. 16 ±7, plunged Drabicius
into extreme sorrow; who was in the utmost fear lest his
revelation should vanish into smoke, and himself be ex-
posed to ridicule. But he had one ecstatic consolation,
which re-animated him ; and that was, that God would
send him Comenius, to whom he should communicate his
writings. Comenius having business in Hungary, in 1650,
saw Drabicius there, and his prophecies; and made such
reflections as he thought proper, upon the vision's having
for three years before promised Drabicius that he should
have Comenius for a coadjutor. Sigismond Ragotski,
being .urged by Drabicius to make war against the em-
peror, and by his mother to continue in peace with him,
was somewhat perplexed. Drabicius denounced against
him the judgments of the Almighty, in case of peace; and
his mother threatened him with her curse in case of war.
In this dilemma he recommended himself to the prayers
of Drabicius and Comenius, and kept himself quiet till his
death.
304 DRABICIUS.
In 1654 Drabicius was restored to his ministry, and his
visions p esemed themselves more frequently than ever;
ordering from lime to time that they should be communi-
cated to his coadjutqr Comenius, that be might publish
them to ail nations and languages, and particularly to the
Turks and Tartars. Comenius found himself embarrassed
between the fear of God, and that of men ; he was appre-
hensive that by not printing the revelations of Drabicins
he should disobey God, and that by printing them he
should expose himself to the ridicule and censure of men.
He took a middle way ; he resolved to print them, and
not to distribute the copies ; and upon this account he en-
titled the book " Lux in Tenebris." But his resolution
did not continue long ; it gave way to two remarkable
events, which were taken for a grand crisis, and the un-
ravelling of the mystery. One of these events was the
irruption of George Ragotski into Poland ; the other, the
death of the emperor Ferdinand III., but both events far
from answering the predictions, served only to confound
them. Ragotski perished in his descent upon Poland ;
and Leopold, king of Hungary, was elected emperor in
the room of his father Ferdinand III. by which election
the house of Austria was almost restored to its former
grandeur, and the protestants in Hungary absolutely
ruined. Drabicius was the greatest sufferer by this ; for
the court of Vienna, being informed that he was the per-
son who sounded the trumpet against the house of Austria,
sought means to punish him, and, as it is said, succeeded
in it. What became of him, we cannot learn ; some say
that he was burnt for an impostor and false prophet ;
others, that he died in Turkey, whither he had fled for
refuge ; but neither of these accounts is certain.
The " Lux in Tenebris" was printed by Comenius, at
Amsterdam, in 1657; and contains not only the revela-
tions of our Drabicius, but those of Christopher Kotterus,
and of Christina Poniatovia. Comenius published au
abridgement of it in 1660, with this title, " Revelationum
divinarum in usum saeculi nostri factarum epitome." He
reprinted the whole work, with this title, " Lux e tenebris
novis radiis aucta, &c." These new rays were a sequel of
Drabicius's revelations, which extended to 1666.*
1 Gen. Diet.— Moreri. — See COMEMUI, vol. X.
DRACO. 305
DRACO, an eminent legislator of Athens, succeeded
Triptolemus in the 39th olympiad, 324 years B.C. When
the laws of Triptolemus were found insufficient for the re-
gulation of the state, Draco instituted a new code, which
was so extremely rigorous, that his Jaws were said to be
written in blood. Under his system of legislation, death
was the penalty for every kind of offence, in vindication of
which he alleged, that as small faults seemed to him
worthy of death, he could find no severer punishment for
the greatest crimes. Such, however, was his abhorrence
of the crime of taking away life, that he directed a prose-
cution to be instituted even against inanimate things which
had been instrumental to this purpose, and sentenced a
statue, which had fallen upon a man and killed him, to be
banished ; an absurdity which shews the rude state of le-?
gislation in his time. Some of his laws were the result o£
age and experience, and owed their effect to the opinion
that was entertained of his virtue and patriotism, but the
Athenians could not endure the rigour of others, and the
legislator himself was obliged to withdraw to the island of
./Egina, where he suffered as severely from his friends,
as he could from his enemies, being, as we are told, suf-
focated at the public theatre, amidst the applauses of the;
people. The rigour of his discipline was in some measure
relaxed by Solon, in the 46th olympiad.1
DRAKE (Sia FRANCIS), one of our most distinguished
naval heroes, who flourished in the reign of Elizabeth, was
the son of Edmund Drake, a sailor, and born near Tavi-
stock, in Devonshire, in 1545, but some have said that
he was the son of a clergyman. He was, however, brought
up at the expence, and under the care, of sir John Haw-
kins, who was his kinsman ; and at the age of eighteen
was purser of a ship trading to Biscay. At twenty he
made a voyage to Guinea; and at twenty-two had the
honour to be made captain of the Judith. In that capacity
he was in the harbour of St. John de Ulloa, in the gulph
of Mexico, where he behaved most gallantly in the glo-
rious actions under sir John Hawkins, and returned with
him to England with great reputation, though as poor as
he set out. Upon this he projected a design against the
Spaniards in the West Indies, which he no sooner an-
nounced, than he had volunteers enough ready to accora-
' Moreri. — Brucker.
VOL. XII. X
306 D R A K E.
pany him. In 1570 he made bis first expedition with two
ships ; and the next year with one only, in which he re-
turned safe, if not with such advantages as he expected.
He made another expedition in 1572, did the Spaniards
some mischief, and gained considerable hooties. In these
expeditions he was much assisted by a nation of Indians,
who then were, and have been ever since, engaged iu
perpetual wars with the Spaniards. The prince of these
people was named Pedro, to whom Drake presented a fine
cutlass from his side, which he saw the Indian greatly ad-
mired. Pedro, in return, gave him four large wedges of
gold, which Drake threw into the common stock, with
this remarkable expression, that" he thought it but just,
that such as bore the charge of so uncertain a voyage on
his credit, should share the utmost advantages that voyage
produced." Then embarking his men with all the wealth
he had obtained, which was very considerable, he bore
away for England, where he arrived in August, 1573.
His success in this expedition, joined to his honourable
behaviour towards his owners, gained him high reputation,
which was increased by the use he made of his riches. For,
fitting out three slout frigates at his own expence, he sailed
with them into Ireland, where, under Walter earl of Essex,
the father of the famous unfortunate earl, he served as a
volunteer, and performed many gallant exploits. After
the death of his noble patron, he returned into England ;
where sir Christopher Hatton, vice-chamberlain to queen
Elizabeth, and privy-counsellor, introduced him to her
majesty, and procured him countenance and protection at
court. By this means he acquired a capacity of under-
taking that grand expedition, which will render his name
immortal. The first thing he proposed was a voyage into
the South-seas, through the Straits of Magellan, which
hitherto no Englishman had ever attempted. The project
was well received at court ; the queen furnished him with
means ; and his own fame quickly drew together a force
sufficient. The fleet with which he sailed on this extra-
ordinary undertaking, consisted only of five small vessels,
compared with modern ships, and no more than 164 able
men. He sailed from England, Dec. 13, 1577; on the
25th fell in with the coast of Barbary, and on the 29th
with Cape Verd. March 13, he passed the equinoctial,
made the coast of Brazil April 5, 1578, and entered the
river de la Plata, where he lost the company of two of his
DRAKE. 307
ships; but meeting them again, and taking out their pro-
visions, he turned them adrift. May 29, he entered the
port of St. Julian, where he continued two months, for the
sake of laying in provisions; Aug. 20> he entered the
Straits of Magellan ; and Sept. 25 passed them, having
then only his own ship. Nov. 25, he came to Machao,
which he had appointed for a place of rendezvous, in case
his ships separated : but captain Winter, his vice-admiral,
having repassed the Straits, was returned to England.
Thence he continued his voyage along the coasts of Chili
and Peru, taking all opportunities of seizing Spanish ships,
and attacking them on shore, till his crew were sated with
plunder; and then coasting North-America to the height
of 48 degrees, he endeavoured, but in vain, to find a pas-
sage back into our seas on that side. He landed, however,
and called the country New Albion, taking possession of
it in the name and for the use of queen Elizabeth ; and,
having careened his ship, set sail from thence Sept. 29,
1579, for the Moluccas. He is supposed to have chosen
this passage round, partly to avoid being attacked by the
Spaniards at a disadvantage, and partly from the lateness
of the season, when dangerous storms and hurricanes were
to be apprehended. Oct. 13, he fell in with certain
islands, inhabited by the most barbarous people he had
met with in all his voyage; and, Nov. 4, he had sight of
the Moluccas, and, coming to Ternate, was extremely
well received by the king thereof, who appears, from the
most authentic relations of this voyage, to have been a
wise and polite prince. Dec. 10, he made Celebes, where
his ship unfortunately ran upon a rock Jan. 9th following;
from which, beyond all expectation, and in a manner mi-
raculously, they got off, and continued their course.
March 16, he arrived at Java Major, and from thence in-
tended to have directed his course to Malacca ; but founrf
himself obliged to alter his purpose, and to think of re-
turning home. March 25, 1580, he put this design in
execution ; and June 15, doubled the cape of Good Hope,
having then on board 57 men, and but three casks of
water. July 12, he passed the Line, reached the coast of
Guinea the 16th, and there watered. Sept. 11, he made
the island of Tercera ; and Nov. 3, entered the harbour
of Plymouth. This voyage round the globe was performed
in two years and about ten months.
X 2
SOS BRA K E.
His success in this voyage, and the immense mass of
wealth he brought home, raised much discourse through-
out the kingdom ; some highly commending-, and some as
loudly decrying him. The former alleged, that his exploit
>vas not only honourable to himself, but to his country ;
that it would establish our reputation for maritime skill in
foreign nations, and raise an useful spirit of emulation at
home ; and that, as to the money, our merchants having
suffered much from the faithless practices of the Spaniards,
there was nothing more just, than that the nation should
receive the benefit of Drake's reprisals. The other party
alleged, that in fact he was no better than a pirate; that,
of all others, it least became a trading nation to encourage
such practices ; that it was not only a direct breach of all
our late treaties with Spain, but likewise of our old leagues
with the house of Burgundy ; and that the consequences
would be much more fatal than the benefits reaped from it
could be advantageous. This difference of opinion con-
tinued during the remainder of 1580, and the spring of
the succeeding year ; but at length justice was done to
Drake's services; for, April 4, 1581, her majesty, going
to Deptford, went on board his ship; where, after dinner,
she conferred on him the honour of knighthood, and de-
clared her absolute approbation of all he had done. She
likewise gave directions for the preservation of his ship,
that it might remain a monument of his own and his coun-
try's glory. Camden, in his Britannia, has taken notice
of an extraordinary circumstance relating to this ship of
Drake's, where, speaking of the shire of Buchan, in Scot-
land, he says, "It is hardly worth while to mention the
clayks, a sort of geese, which are believed by some with
great admiration, to grow upon trees on this coast, and in
other places, and when they are ripe, they fall down into
the sea, because neither their nests nor eggs can any where
be found. But they who saw the ship in which sir Francis
Drake sailed round the world, when it was laid up in the
river Thames, could testify that little birds breed in the
old rotten keels of ships, since a great number of such,
without life and feathers, stuck close to the outside of the
keel of that ship." This celebrated ship, which had been
contemplated many years at Deptford, at length decaying,
it was broke «p ; and a chair made out of the planks was
presented to the* university of Oxford.
DRAKE. 309
In 1585 he sailed with a fleet to the West Indies, and
took the cities of St. Jago, St. Domingo, Carthagena, and
St. Augustin. In 1587 he went to Lisbon with a fleet of
30 sail ; and, having intelligence of a great fleet assembled
in the bay of Cadiz, which was to have made part of the
armada, he with great courage entered that port, and burnt
there upwards of 10,000 tons of shipping : which he after-
wards merrily called, " burning the king of Spain's beard."
In 1558, when the armada from Spain was approaching
our coasts, he was appointed vice-admiral under Charles
lord Howard of Efringham, high-admiral of England,
where fortune favoured him as remarkably as ever : for he
made prize of a very large galleon, commanded by don
Pedro de Valclez, who was reputed the projector of this
invasion. This affair happened in the following manner :
July 22, sir Francis, observing a great Spanish ship float-
ing at a distance from both fleets, sent his pinnace to sum-
mon the commander to yield. Valdez replied, with much
Spanish solemnity, that they were 450 strong, that he
himself was don Pedro, and stood much upon his honour,
and propounded several conditions, upon which he was
willing to yield : but the vice-admiral replied, that he had
no leisure to parley, but if he thought fit instantly to yield
he might; if not, he should soon rind that Drake was no
coward. Pedro, hearing the name of Drake, immediately
yielded, and with 46 of his attendants came aboard Drake's
ship. This don Pedro remained above two years his pri-
soner in England ; and, when he was released, paid him.
for his own and his captain's liberties, a ransom of 3500/.
Drake's soldiers were well recompensed with the plunder
of this ship : for they found in it 55,000 ducats of gold,
which was divided among them.
In the mean time it must not be dissembled, concerning
the expedition in general, that, through an oversight of
Drake, the admiral ran the utmost hazard of being taken
by the enemy. For Drake being appointed, the first night
of the engagement, to carry lights for the direction of tne
English fleet, was led to pursue some hulks belonging to
the Hansetowns, and so neglected this orh'ce ; which occa-
sioned the admiral's following the Spanish lights, and re-
maining almost in the centre of their fleet till morning.
However, his succeeding services sufficiently atoned for
this mistake, the greatest execution done on the flying
Spaniards being performed by the squadron under his com-
310 DRAKE.
mand. It is remarkable, that the Spaniards, notwithstand-
ing their loss was so great, and their defeat so notorious,
took great pains to propagate false stories, which in some
places gained so much credit as to hide their shame. A
little before this formidable Spanish armament put to sea,
the ambassador of his catholic majesty had the confidence
to propound to queen Elizabeth, in Latin verse, the terms
iipon which she might hope for peace ; which, with an
English translation of a very homely kind, by Dr. Fuller,
we will insert in this place, because Drake's expedition to
the West Indies makes a part of this message. The verses
are these :
" Te veto ne pergas bello defendere Belgas :
<Quce Dracus cripuit nunc rcstituautur oportet :
Quas pater evertit jubeo te condere cellas :
Keligio Papte fac restituatur ad unguem."
" These to you are our commands,
Send no help to th' Netherlands •.
Of the treasure took by Drake,
Restitution you must make :
And those abbies build anew,
Which your father overthrew :
If for any peace you hope,
In all points restore the pope."
The queen's extempore return :
" Ad Graecas, bone rex, fient rnandata calendas."
" Worthy king, know, this your will
At latter-lammas we'll fulfil."
In 1589 he commanded as admiral of the fleet sent to
restore don Antonio, king of Portugal, the command of
the land-forces being given to sir John Norris : but they
were hardly got to sea, before the commanders differed,
and the attempt proved abortive. The war with Spain
continuing, a more effectual expedition was undertaken
by sir John Hawkins and Drake, against their settlements
in the West Indies, than had hitherto been made duriug
the whole course of it : but the commanders here again
not agreeing about the plan, this also did not turn out so
successful as was expected. All diiriculties, before these
two last expeditions, had given way to the skill and for-
tune of Drake ; which probably was the reason why he did
not bear these disappointments so well as he otherwise
would have done. A strong sense of them is supposed to
have thrown him into a melancholy, which occasioned a
DRAKE. 311
bloody-flux ; and of this he died on board his own ship,
near the town of Noinbre de Dios in the West Indies, Jan.
28, 1596. His death was lamented by the* whole nation,
and particularly by his countrymen, who had great reason
to love him from the circumstances of his private life, as
well as to esteem him in his public character. He was'
elected burgess for Bossiney, alias Tintagal, in Cornwall,
in the 27th parliament of Elizabeth ; and for Plymouth in.
Devonshire, in the 35th. This town had very particular
obligations to him ; for in 1587 he undertook to bring wa-
ter into it, through the want of which, till then, it had
been grievously distressed : and he performed it by con-
ducting thither a stream from springs at eight miles dis-
tance, in a straight line : but in the manner he brought it,
the course of it runs upwards of twenty miles.
Sir Francis Drake was low of stature, but well formed,
had a broad open chest, a very round head, his hair of a
line brown, his beard full and comely, his eyes large and
clear, of a fair complexion, with a fresh, cheerful, and
very engaging countenance. As navigation had been his
whole study, so he understood it thoroughly, and was a
perfect master in every branch, especially in astronomy,
and in the application of it to the art of sailing. He had
the happiness to live under the reign of a princess, who
never failed to distinguish merit, and to reward it. He
was always her favourite; and she gave an uncommon
proof of it,, in regard to a quarrel he had with his country-
man sir Bernard Drake, whose arms sir Francis assuming,
the other was so provoked at it, that he gave him a box on
the ear. Upon this, the queen took up the quarrel, and
gave sir Francis a new coat, which is thus emblazoned :
" Sable, a fess wavy between two pole stars Argent," and
for his crest, " a. ship on a globe under ruff," held by a
cable, with a hand out of the clouds, over it this motto,
"auxilio divino ;" underneath, "sic parvis nriagna ;" in the
rigging of which is hung up by the heels a wivern Gules ;
which was the arms of sir Bernard Drake. Her majesty's
kindness, however, did not extend beyond the grave ; for
she suffered his brother Thomas Drake, whom he made
his heir, to be prosecuted for a pretended debt to the
crown ; which prosecution hurt him a good deal. It is
indeed true, that sir Francis died without issue, but not
a bachelor, as some authors have written ; for ije left be-
hind him a widow, Elizabeth, daughter and sole heiress of
312 DRAKE.
sir George Sydenham, in the county of Devon, knt. who
afterwards was married to William Courtenay, esq. of Pow-
derham castle in the same county, the ancestor of the
noble family of Courtenay. '
DRAKE (FRANCIS), a surgeon at York, and an eminent
antiquary, was much esteemed by Dr. Mead, Mr. Folkes,
the two Mr. Gales, and all the principal members of the
Royal and Antiquarian Societies. He published, in 1736,
" Eboracum ; or the History and Antiquities of the City of
York," a splendid folio. A copy of it with large manu-
script additions was in the hands of his son, the late rev.
William Drake, vicar of Isleworth, who died in 1801, and
was himself an able antiquary, as appears by his articles in
the Archseologia, and would have republisbed his father's
work, if the plates could have been recovered. Mr. Drake
was elected F. S. A. in 1735, and F. R. S. in 1736. From
this latter society, for whatever reason, he withdrew in
1769, and died the following year. Mr. Cole, who has
a few memorandums concerning him, informs us that when
the oaths to government were tendered to him in 1745, he
refused to take them. He describes him as a middle-aged
man (in 1749) tall and thin, a surgeon of good skill, but
whose pursuits as an antiquary had made him negligent of
his profession. Mr. Cole also says, that Mr. Drake and
Csesar Ward, the printer at York, were the authors of the
" Parliamentary or Constitutional History of England,"
printed in twenty-four volumes, 1751, &c. 8vo. This
work extends from the earliest times to the restoration.7
DRAKE (JAMES), a celebrated political writer and phy-
sician, was born at Cambridge in 1667 ; and at the age of
seventeen admitted a member of that university, where he
soon distinguished himself by his uncommon parts and in-
genuity. Some time before the revolution, he took the
degree of B. A. and after that of M. A. bur, going to Lon-
don in 1693, and discovering an inclinutioji for the study
of physic, he was encouraged in the pursuit of it by sir
Thomas Millington, and the most eminent members of the
college of physicians. In 1696 he took the degree of doc-
tor in that faculty ; and was soon after elected F. R. S. and
a fellow of the college of physicians. But whether his own
inclination led him, or whether he did it purely to supply
1 Biog. Brit. — Prince's Worthies of Devon.
? Gouglj's Topography.— Cole's MS Athens in Brit. Mus.
DRAKE. 313
the defects of a fortune, which was not sufficient to enable
him to keep a proper equipage as a physician in town, he
applied himself to writing for the booksellers. In 1697 he
was concerned in the publication of a pamphlet, entitled
" Commendatory verses upon the author of prince Arthur
and king Arthur." In 1702 he published in Svo, "The
History of the last Parliament, begun at Westminster
Feb. 10, in the twelfth year of king William, A. D. 1700."
This created him some trouble ; for the house of lords,
thinking it reflected too severely on the memory of king
Williau), summoned the author before" them in May 1702,
and ordered him to be prosecuted by the attorney-general ;
who brought him to a trial, at which he was acquitted the
year following.
In 1704, being dissatisfied with the rejection of the bill
to prevent occasional conformity, and with the disgrace of
some of his friends who were sticklers for it, he wrote, in
concert with Mr. Poley, member of parliament for Ipswich,
" The Memorial of the Church of England : humbly of-
fered to the consideration of all true lovers of our Church
and Constitution," Svo. The treasurer Godolphin, and
the other great officers of the crown in the whig interest,
severely reflected on in this work, were so highly offended,
that they represented it to the queen as an insult upon
her honour, and an intimation that the church was in dan-
ger under her administration. Accordingly her majesty
took notice-of it in her speech to the ensuing parliament,
Oct. 27, 1705; and was addressed by both houses upon
that occasion. Soon after, the queen, at the petition of
the house of commons, issued a proclamation for discover-
ing the author of the " Memorial ;" but no discovery
could be made. The parliament was not the only body
that shewed their resentment to this book; for the grand
jury of the city of London having presented it at the ses-
sions, as a false, scandalous, and traitorous libel, it wa*s
immediately burnt in the sight of the court then sitting,
and afterwards before the Royal Exchange, by the hands
of the common hangman. But though Drake then escaped,
yet as he was very much suspected of being the author of
that book, and had rendered himself obnoxious upon other
accounts to persons then in power, occasions were sought
to ruin him if possible ; and a newspaper he was publish-
ing at that time under the title of " Mercurius Politicus,"
afforded his enemies the pretence they wanted. For,
314 DRAKE.
taking exception at some passages in it, they prosecuted
him in the queen's-bench in 1706. His case was argued
at the bar of that court, April 30 ; when, upon a flaw in
the information (the simple change of an r for a t, or nor
for not] the trial was adjourned, and in November follow-
ing the doctor was acquitted ; but the government brought
a writ of error. The severity of this prosecution, joined
to repeated disappointments and ill-usage from some of
his party, is supposed to have flung him into a fever, of
which he died at Westminster, March 2, 1707, not without
violent exclamations against the rigour of his prosecutors.
Besides the performances already mentioned, he made
an English translation of Herodotus, which was never pub-
lished. He wrote a comedy called "The Sham- Lawyer,
or the Lucky Extravagant ;" which was acted at the theatre
royal in 1697. It is chiefly borrowed from two of Fletcher's
plays, namely, " The Spanish Curate," and " Wit without
Money." He was the editor of Historia Anglo-Scotica,
1703, 8vo, which was burnt by the hands of the hangman at
Edinburgh : in the dedication he says, that, " upon a di-
ligent revisal, in order, if possible, to discover the name
of the author, and the age of his writing, he found, that
it was written in, or at least not finished till, the time of
king Charles I." But he says nothing more ol? the MS. nor
how it came into his hands. But whatever merit there
might be in his political writings, or however they might
distinguish him in his life-time, he is chiefly known now by
his medical works : by his new " System of Anatomy"
particularly, which was finished a little before his decease,
and published in 1707, with a preface by W. Wagstaffe,
M. D. reader of anatomy at Surgeons'-hall. Dr. Wagstaffe
tells us, that Drake " eminently excelled in giving the
rationale of tilings, and inquiring into the nature and
causes of phsenomena. He does not," says he, " behave
himself like a mere describer of the parts, but like an un-
prejudiced inquirer into nature, and an absolute master of
his profession. And if Dr. Lower has been so much and
so deservedly esteemed for his solution of the systole of
the heart, Dr. Drake, by accounting for the diastole, ought
certainly to be allowed his share of reputation, and to be
admitted as a partner of his glory." A second edition of
this work was published in 1717, in 2 vols. 8vo ; and an
appendix in 1728, 8vo, which is usually bound np with
the second volume. The plates, which are very numerous,
DRAKE. 315
are accurately drawn, and well engraved. Some of them
are taken from Swammerdam. Dr. Drake added notes to
the English translation of Le Clerc's " History of Physic,"
printed in 1699, tfvo ; and there is also, in the Philosophi-
cal Transactions, a discourse of his concerning some in-
fluence of respiration on the motion of the heart hitherto
unobserved. The " Memorial of the Church of England,"
&c. was reprinted in 8vo, in 1711 ; to which is added, an
introductory preface, containing the life and death of the
author; from which this present account is chiefly drawn.
Mr. D'Israeli, who has introduced Dr. Drake in his in-
teresting work, " The Calamities of Authors," informs us
that Drake, in one instance at least, condescended to prac-
tise literary imposition. He reprinted father Parsons's
famous libel against the earl of Leicester in queen Eliza-
beth's reign, under the title of " Secret Memoirs of Ro-
bert Dudley, earl of Leicester," 1706, 8vo, with a pre-
face pretending it was printed from an old manuscript,
instead of being literally taken from " Leycester's Com-
monwealth." '
DRAKENBORCH (ARNOLD), an eminent classical edi-
tor, was born at Utrecht, Jan. 1, 1684, where, and at
Leyden, he was educated. In 171-6 he was appointed
professor of rhetoric and history at Utrecht, an office which
he filled with great reputation. The first publication
which evinced his talents appeared in 1704, while a student
under Barman, entitled " Dissertatio Philologico-Histo-
rica de prrefecto urbis," of which a new edition was
printed at Francfort in 1752; and three years after, in
1707, he published another dissertation on taking his de-
gree of doctor of laws, " De officio prsefectorum Prsetorio,'*
Utrecht, Ho. He died at Utrecht in 1748. As an editor
he is principally known by his edition of " Silius Italicus,"
1717, 4to, a very valuable work, not only containing every
thing worthy of perusal in the preceding' editions, but
enriched with the notes and emendations of Heinsius, and
excerpta from an Oxford MS. and one Belonging to Pu-
teanus ; and by his " Livy," printed at Amsterdam, 1738,
7 vols. 4to, superior to all which went before it, although
not immaculate, and the commentaries, it is generally
allowed, are tediously prolix. 2
1 Biog. Brit. — D' Israeli's Calamities.
* Diet. Hist. — Saxii Onomast. — Dibdin's Classics.— Schacktii Qratio funebris
in obitum Drakenborch, Utrecht, 1748, 4to.
316 DRANT.
DRAN. See LEDRAN.
DRANT (THOMAS), an English divine and poet, of the
sixteenth century, was educated at St. John's college,
Cambridge, where he took his degree of bachelor in divi-
nity in 1569. The same year he was admitted to the pre-
bend of Firles in the cathedral of Chichester, June 27, and
on July 2 to that of Chamberlaynward in St. Paul's, and
March 9 following, he was installed archdeacon of Lewes.
He seems to have been chaplain to Grindall, when arch-
bishop of York. He was a tolerable Latin poet, and trans-
lated the Ecclesiastes into Latin hexameters, 1572, 4to,
and published two miscellanies of Latin poetry, the one
entitled " Sylva," and the other " Poemata varia et ex-
terna," the last printed at Paris. In the " Sylva," he
mentions his new version of David's psalms, which Wartou
supposes to have been in English, and says, he had begun
to translate the Iliad, but had gone no further than the
fourth book. In 1566 he published what he called " A
medicinable Morall, that is, the txvo bookes of Horace his
satyres Englished, according to the prescription of St.
Hierome," &c. Lond. and in the following year appeared
" Horace, his arte of Poetrie, Pistles, and Satyrs Englished."
This version, which Drant undertook in the character of a
grave divine, and as a teacher of morality, is very para-
phrastic, and sometimes parodical. His other publications
are, 1. " Gregory Nazianzen his Epigrams and spiritual
sentences," 1568, 8vo. 2. " Shaklocki, epigrammatis in
mortem Cuthberti Scoti, apomaxis," Lond. 1565, 4 to ;
•which occurs in Herbert's Antiquities under the title " An
Epygrame of the death of Cuthberte Skotte some tyme
beshoppe of Chester, by Roger Shacklocke, and replyed
against by Thomas Drant." 3. " Thomae Drantae Angli,
Advordingamiae Praesul," 1575, 4to. These two last are
in the British Museum. 4. " Three godly and learned
Sermons, very necessary to be read and regarded of all
men," 1584, 8vo. Extracts from these are given in the
Bibliographer. The time of his death is no where men-
tioned, but as the archdeaconry of Lewes was vacant in
157.S, it might have been in consequence of that event. '
DRAPER (Sm WILLIAM), lieutenant-general and K. B.
was educated at Eton, and at King's college, Cambridge;
1 Tanner. — Phillips'* Theatrum. — Warton's Hist, of Poetry. — Bibliographer,
Ne. 13, p. 173. — MS. in Lambeth library, No. 805.
DRAPER. 317
and, preferring the military profession, went to the East-
Indies in the company's service; where, in 1760, he re-
ceived the privilege of ranking as a colonel in the army,
with Lawrence and Clive, and returned home that year.
In 1761 he was promoted to the rank of brigadier in the
expedition to Belleisle. In 1763, he, with admiral Cor-
nish, conducted the expedition against Manila. They
sailed from Madras Aug. 1, and anchored Sept. 27, in
Manila bay, where the inhabitants had no expectation of
the enemy. The fort surrendered Oct. 6, and was pre-
served from plunder by a ransom of four millions of dollars ;
half to be paid immediately, and the other half in a time
agreed on. The Spanish governor drew on his court for
the first half, but payment was never made. The argu-
ments of the Spanish court were clearly refuted by colonel
Draper in a letter to the earl of Halifax, then premier.
Succeeding administrations declined the prosecution of
this claim from reasons of state which were never divulged ;
and the commander in chief lost for his share of the ran-
som 25,000/. The colours taken at this conquest were
presented to King's college, Cambridge, and hung up in
their beautiful chapel, and the conqueror was rewarded
with a red ribband. Upon the reduction of the 79th regi-
ment, which had served so gloriously in the East-Indies,
his majesty, unsolicited by him, gave him the 16th regi-
ment of foot as an equivalent. This he resigned to colonel
Gisborne, for his half pay, 1200/. Irish annuity. In 1769
the colonel appeared, and with much credit, in a literacy
character, drawing his pen against that of JUNIUS, in de-
fence of his friend the marquis of Granby, which drew a
retort on himself, answered by him in a second letter to
Junius, on the refutations of the former charge against
him. On a republication of Junius's first letter, sir Wil-
liam renewed his vindication of himself; and was answered
with great keenness by his famous antagonist. Here the
controversy dropped for the present, but he is supposed to
have entered the lists once more, under the signature of
' O
Modestus, with that extraordinary and still concealed
writer, in defence of general Gansel, who had been ar-
rested for debt, and was rescued by a party of soldiers. In
Oct. 1769 he retired to South Carolina, for the recovery
of his health, and took the opportunity to make the tour
of North America. That year he married miss de Lancy,
daughter of the chief justice of New York, who died in
31* DRAPE R.
July 1778, and by whom he had a daughter born Aug. 18,
1773. May 29, 1779, sir William, being then in rank a
lieutenant-general, was appointed lieutenant-governor of
Minorca, on the unfortunate surrender of which important
place he exhibited 29 charges against the late governor,
general Murray, Nov. 1 1, 1782. Of these 27 were deemed
frivolous and groundless ; and for the other two the gover-
nor was reprimanded. Sir William was then ordered to
make an apology to general Murray, for having instituted
the trial against him; in which he acquiesced. From this
time he appears to have lived in retirement at Bath till his
decease, which happened the 8th of January 1787. Many
particulars respecting his controversy with Junius, as well
as the controversy itself, may be seen in the splendid edition
of " Junius's Letters,'\published by Mr. Woodfall in 1812.1
DRAUDIUS (GEORGE), a German author, was born in
1573, and died in 1630. He compiled a work entitled
" Bibliotheca Classica," of which the best edition is that
in two volumes 4to, Frankfort, 1625 ; in which are in-
serted the titles of all kinds of books. It is, however,
merely a crowded catalogue of all the works which had ap-
peared at the Francfort fairs ; but although they are not
well arranged, or very easily found, and the errors are in-
numerable, it is, upon the whole, a very useful catalogue,
particularly for German books, and musical publications.2
DRAYTON (MICHAEL), an English poet, was born at
Harshull, in the parish of Atherston, in the county of
Warwick, in 1563. His family was ancient, and originally
descended from the town of Drayton in Leicestershire,
which gave name to his progenitors, as a learned antiquary
of his acquaintance has recorded ; but his parents remov-
ing into Warwickshire, our poet was born there. When
he was but ten years of age, he seems to have been page
to some person of honour, as we collect from his own
words : and, for his learning at that time, it appears evi-
dently in the same place, that he could then construe his
Cato, and some other little collection of sentences. It ap-
pears too, that he was then anxious to know, " what kind
of strange creatures poets were r" and desired his tutor of
all things, that if possible " he would make him a poet."
He was some time a student in the university of Oxford :
though we do not find that he took any degree there.
1 Woodfall's Juniws, vol. I. p. 69, &c. — Harwood's Alumni E'onenses.
2 Diet. Hist. — Moren. — Saxii Onomast. — Baillet Jugeineiis.
D R A Y T O N.
In 1588, he seems, from his own description of the
Spanish invasion, to have been a spectator at Dover of its
defeat ; and might possibly be engaged in some military
post or employment there, as we find mention of his being
well spoken of by the gentlemen of the army. He took
delight very early, as we have seen, in the study of poetry;
and was eminent for his poetical efforts, nine or ten years
before the death of queen Elizabeth, if not sooaer. In
1593 he published a collection of pastorals, under the
title of " Idea : the Shepherd's Garland, fashioned in nine
eclogues; with Rowland's sacrifice to the nine Muses,'*
4to, dedicated to Mr. Robert Dudley. This " Shepherd's
Garland" is the same with what was afterwards reprinted
with emendations by our author in 1619, folio, under the
title of " Pastorals," containing eclogues ; with the " Man
in the Moon ;" but the folio edition of Drayton's works,
printed in 1748, though the title-page professes to give
them all, does not contain this part of them. Soon after
he published his " Barons' Wars," and " England's heroi-
cal Epistles;" his "Downfalls of Robert of Normandy,
Matilda and Gaveston ;" which were all written before
1598; and caused him to be highly celebrated at that
time, when he was distinguished not only as a great genius,
but as a good man. He was exceedingly esteemed by his
contemporaries; and Burton, the antiquary of Leicester-
shire, after calling him his " near countryman and old ac-
quaintance," adds further of him, that, " though those
transalpines account us tramontani, rude, and barbarous,
holding our brains so frozen, dull, and barren, that they
can afford no inventions or conceits, yet may he compare
either with their old Dante, Petrarch, or Boccace, or
their neoteric Marinella, Pignatello, or Stigliano. But
why," says Burton, " sould I go about to commend him,
whom his own works and worthiness have sufficiently ex-
tolled to the world r"
Drayton was one of the foremost of Apollo's train, who
welcomed James I. to his British dominions, with a con-
gratulatory poem, &c. 1603, 4to ; and how this very poem,
through strange ill luck, might have proved his ruin, but
for his patient and prudent conduct under the indignity,
he has, with as much freedom as was then convenient, in-
formed us in the preface to his " Poly-Olbion," and in
his epistle to Mr. George Sandys among his elegies. It is
probable, that the unwelcome reception it met with might
320 D R A Y T O N.
deter him from attempting to raise himself at court. In
1613 he published the first part of his " Poly-Olbion ;"
by which Greek tide, signifying very happy, he denotes
England ; as the ancient name of Albion is by some de-
rived from Olbion, happy. It is a chorographical descrip-
tion of the rivers, mountains, forests, castles, &c. in this
island, intermixed with the remarkable antiquities, rarities,
and commodities thereof. The first part is dedicated to
prince Henry, by whose encouragement it was written : and
there is an engraving at full length of that prince, in a
military posture, exercising his pike. He had shewed
Dravton some singular marks of his favour, and seems to
fc O '
have admitted him as one of his poetical pensioners; but
dying before the book was published, our poet lost the
benefit of his patronage. There are 1 S songs in this vo-
lume, illustrated with the learned notes of Selden ; and
there are maps before every song, in which the cities,
mountains, forests, rivers, &c. are represented by the
figures of men and women. His metre of 12 syllables
being now antiquated, it is quoted more for the history
than the poetry in it; and in that respect is so very exact,
that, as Nicolson observes, and since, Mr. Gough, Dray-
ton's Poly-Olbion affords a much truer account of this
kingdom, and the dominion of Wales, than could well be
expected from the pen of a poet. It is interwoven with
many fine episodes: of the conquest of this island by the
Romans ; of the coming of the Saxons, the Danes, and
the Normans, with an account of their kings ; of English
warriors, navigators, saints, and of the civil wars of Eng-
land, &c. This volume was reprinted in 1622, with the
second part, or continuation of 12 songs more, making 30
in the whole, and dedicated to prince Charles, to whom
he gives hopes of bestowing the like pains upon Scotland.
In 1626 we find him styled poet laureat, in a copy of
his own verses written in commendation of Abraham Hol-
land, and prefixed to the posthumous poems of that au-
thor. It is probable, that the appellation of poet laureat
was not formerly confined so strictly, as it is now, to the
person on whom this title is conferred by the crown, who
is presumed to have been at that time Ben Jonson ; be-
cause we find it given to others only as a distinction of
their excellency in the art of poetry; to Mr. George
Sandys particularly, who was our author's friend. The
print of Dray ton, before the first volume of his works in
D R A Y T O N. 321
folio, has a wreath of bays above his head, and so has his
bust in Westminster-abbey ; yet when we find that the'
portraits of Joshua Sylvester, John Owen, and others, who
never had any grant of the laureat's place, are as formally
crowned with laurel as those who really possessed it, we
have reason to believe, that nothing more was meant by it,
than merely a compliment*. Besides, as to Drayton, he
tells us himself, in his dedication to sir William Aston of
" The Owl," that he leaves the iaurel to those who may
look after it. In 1627 was published the second volume of
his poems, containing his " Battle of Agincourt, Miseries
of queen Margaret, Court of Fairies, Quest of Cynthia,
Shepherd's Syrena, elegies, also, the Moon-Calf," which
is a strong satire upon tne masculine affe< •: women,
and the effeminate disguises of tne men, in th til
The elegies are 12 in number, though there are i
reprinted in the edition of 1748. In 1630 he published
another volume of poems in 4 to, entitled, the " Muses'
El^-zium :" with three divine poems, on Noah's flood,
Moses's birth and miracles, and David and Goliath. Dray-
tori died in 1631, and was buried in Westminster-abbey
amongst the poets.
The learned and elegant editor of Phillips's " Thea-
trum" appears to have appreciated the poetry of Drayton
at its full value, when at the same time that he thinks his
taste less correct, and his ear less harmonious than Daniel's,
he asserts, that " his genius was more poetical, though it
seeuis to have fitted him only for the didactic, and not for
the bolder walks of poetry. The * Poly-Olbion' is a
work of amazing ingenuity ; and a very large proportion
exhibits a variety of beauties, which partake very strongly
of the poetical character ; but the perpetual personification
is tedious, and more is attempted than is within the com-
pass of poetry. The admiration in which the * Heroical
Epistles' were once held, raises the astonishment of a
more refined age. They exhibit some elegant images,
and some musical lines. But in general they want passion
and nature, are strangely flat and prosaic, and are inter-
mixed with the coarsest vulgarities of ideas, sentiment, and
expression. His * Barons' Wars,' and other historical
pieces are dull creeping narratives, with a great deal of
* This mat.ter is more fully explained by Mr. Malone in his Life of Dryden,
vol. I. p. 78, '205,
VOL. XII, Y
322 D R A Y T O N.
ihe same faults, and'none of the excellencies which ought
to distinguish such compositions. His ' Nymphidia' is
light and airy, and possesses tiie features of true poetry." ]
DREBEL (CouNELius), philosopher and alchymist, who
was born in 1572, at Alemaer, in Holland, and died at
London, in 1634 at the age of sixty-two, possessed a
singular aptitude in the invention of machines ; although
we cannot give credit to all that is related of the sagacity
of this philosopher. We are told that he made certain
machines which produced rain, hail, and lightning, as
naturally as if these effects proceeded from the sky. By
other machines he produced a degree of cold equal to that
of winter ; of which he made an experiment, as it is pre-
tended, in Westminster-hall, at the instance of the king
of England ; and that the cold was so great as to be in-
supportable. He constructed a glass, which attracted the
light of a candle placed at the other end of the hall, and
which gave light sufficient for reading by it with great
ease. Drebel has left some philosophical works ; the prin-
cipal of which is entitled : " De natura elementorum,"
Hamburgh, 1621, 8vo. It is also pretended that he was
the first who invented the art of dying scarlet ; the secret
of which he imparted to his daughter ; and Cuffler, who
married her, practised the art at Leyden. Some authors
give to Drebel the honour of the invention of the tele-
scope. It is generally thought that he invented the two
useful instruments, the microscope and the thermometer,
the former of which was for some time only known in Ger-
many. It appeared for the first time in 1621, and Fontana
unjustly ascribed to himself the invention about thirty years
afterwards.2
DRELINCOURT (CHARLES), minister of the Calvinist
church of Paris, was born July 1595, at Sedan ; where
his father had a considerable post. He passed through
the study of polite literature and divinity at Sedan, but
was sent to Saumur, to go through a course of philosophy
there under professor Duncan. He was admitted minister
m 1618, and discharged his function near Langres, till he
was called by the church of Paris in 1620. He had all the
qualifications requisite to a great minister. His sermons
1 Biog. Brit. — Johnson and Chalmers's English Poets, 1810. — Warton's Hist.
. — Censura Literaria. — Headley's Beauties, &c. Sec.
- Diet, Hist. — Moreri. — Foppeu Bibl. Belg.
D R E L I N C O U R T. 323
were very edifying; he was assiduous and successful in
comforting the sick ; and he managed the atTairs of the
'.-.iuirch with such skill, that he never failed of being con-
sulted upon every important occasion. His first essay
was a "Treatise of Preparation for the Lord's Supper."
This, and his " Catechism," the " Short View of Contro-
versies," and " Consolations against the fears of Death,"
have, of all his works, been the most frequently reprinted.
Some of them, his book upon death in particular, have
passed through above forty editions ; and have been trans-
lated into several languages, as German, Dutch, Italian,
and English. His " Charitable Visits," in 5 volumes, have
served for a continual consolation to private persons, and
for a source of materials and models to ministers. He
published three volumes of sermons, in which, as in all
the forementioned pieces, there is a vein of piety very
affecting to religious minds. His controversial works are :
1. " The Jubilee ;" 2. " The Roman Combat ;" 3. " The
Jesuit's Owl ;" 4. " An Answer to father Coussin ;" 5.
" Disputes with the bishop of Bellai, concerning the ho-
nour due to the Holy Virgin ;" 6. " An answer to La Mil-
letierre ;" 7. " Dialogues, against the Missionaries," in
several volumes ; 8. " The False Pastor Convicted," 9.
;'The False Face of Antiquity;" 10. "The Pretended
Nullities of the Reformation ;" 11. " An Answer to prince
Ernest of Hesse ;" 12. " An Answer to the speech of the
clergy spoken by the archbishop of Sens;" 13. "A De-
fence of Calvin." He wrote some letters, which have been
printed ; one to the duchess of Tremouille, upon her hus-
band's departure from the protestant religion ; one of con-
solation, addressed to Madam de la Tabariere ; one upon
•the restoration of Charles II. king of Great Britain; some
upon the English episcopacy, &c. He published also cer-
tain prayers, some of which were made for the king, others
for the queen, and others for the dauphin. Bayle tells us,
that what he wrote against the church of Rome, confirmed
the protestants more than can be expressed ; for with the
arms with which he furnished them, such as wanted the
advantage of learning, were enabled to oppose the monks
and parish priests, and to contend with the missionaries.
His writings made him considered as the scourge of the
papists; yet, like mons. Claude, he was much esteemed,
and even beloved by them. For it was well known that he
had an easy access to the secretaries of state, the first pre-
Y 2
324 DRELINCOURT.
sident, the king's advocate, and the civil lieutenant ; though
he never made any other use of his interest with them than
to assist the afflicted churches. He was highly esteemed
by the great persons of his own religion ; by the duke de
la Force, the marshals Chatillon, Gascon, Turenne, and
by the duchess of Tremouille. They sent for him to their
palaces, and honoured him from time to time with their
visits. Foreign princes and noblemen, the ambassadors
of England and France, did the same ; and he was particu-
larly esteemed by the house of Hesse, as appears from the
books he dedicated to the princes and princesses of that
name. He died Nov. 3, 1669.
He married in 1625, the only daughter of a rich mer-
chant of Paris, by whom he had sixteen children. The
first seven were sons ; the rest intermixed, six sons and
three daughters. LAURENCE, the eldest of all, was at first
minister at Rochelle ; but being obliged to leave that
church by an edict, he went to Niort, where he died in
1680, having lost his sight about six months before. He
was a very learned man, and a good preacher. He left
several fine sermons, and likewise a collection of Christian
sonnets, which are extremely , elegant, and highly es-
teemed by those who have a taste for sacred poetry. They
had gone through six editions in 1693. Henry, the se-
cond son, was also a minister, and published sermons.
The third son was the famous Charles Drelincourt, profes-
sor of physic at Leyden, to whom we shall devote a sepa-
rate article. Anthony, a fourth son, was a physician at
Orbes, in Switzerland ; and afterwards appointed physician
extraordinary by the magistrates of Berlin. A fifth son
died at Geneva, while he was studying divinity there.
Peter Drelincourt, a sixth, was a priest of the church of
England, and dean of Armagh.
All his other children died, either in their infancy, or
in the flower of their youth, except a daughter, married
to mons. Malnoc, advocate of the parliament of Paris ; and
who instead of following him into Holland, whither he re-
tired with his protestantism at the time of the dragoonade,
continued at Paris, where she openly professed the Roman
catholic religion.1
DRELINCOURT (CHARLES), the third son of the pre-
ceding, was born at Paris in 1633, and after studying
' Gen. Diet.— Moreri.-— Diet. Hist,
D R E L I N C O U R T. 325
some years at Saumur, lie went to Montpellier, where he
completed his medical course, and took his doctor's de-
gree. He afterwards attended the marshal Turenne in
his campaigns, and was by him appointed physician to the
army. The skill and ability he had shewn in this situation,
occasioned his being nominated to succeed Vander Linden,
in 168S, as professor of medicine at Leyden, whither he
obtained permission to go, though he had been made, se-
veral years before, one of the physicians to Lewis the
Fourteenth. Two years after, he was advanced to the chair
of anatomy in the same university. He was also made
physician to William, prince of Orange, and to his princess,
Mary. As rector of the university of Leyden, he spoke
the congratulatory oration to the prince and princess, on
their accession to the throne of England. He continued
to hold his professorships, the offices of which he filled
so as to give universal satisfaction, to the time of his
death, which happened on the last day of May, 1697.
He was a voluminous and learned writer; his works, which
were much read in his time, and passed through several
editions, were collected and published together in 1671,
and again in 1680, in 4 vols. 12mo. But the most com-
plete edition of them is that published at the Hague, in
1727, in 4to. In one of his orations he has been careful
to exculpate professors of medicine from the charge of im-
piety, so frequently thrown upon them. " Oratio Doc-
toralis Monspessula, qufi Medicos Dei operum considera-
tione atque contemplatione permotos, caeteris hominibus
Religioni astrictiores esse demons tratur : atque adeo im-
pietatis crimen in ipsos jactatum diluitur." He also, in
his " Apologia Medica," refutes the idea of physicians
having been banished from, and not allowed to settle in
Rome for the space of six hundred years. He was a lover
of Greek literature, and like his countryman, Guy Patin,
an enemy to the introduction of chemical preparations into
medicine, which were much used in his time. He was
also a strong opponent to his colleague Sylvius Bayle
has given him a high character. As a man he describes
him benevolent, friendly, pious, and charitable ; as a
scholar, versed in the Greek and Latin tongues, and in all
polite literature in as high a degree as if he had never ap-
plied himself to any thing else ; as a professor of physic,
clear and exact in his method of reading lectures, and of
326 D R E L I N C O U R T.
a skill in anatomy universally admired ; as an author, one
whose writings are of an original and inimitable cha-
racier. l
DRESSERUS (MATTHEW), a learned German, was
born at Erlbrt, the capital of Thuringia, in 1536. The
first academical lectures which he heard, were those of
Luther and Melancthon, at Wittemberg ; but the air of
that country not agreeing with his constitution, he was
obliged to return to Erfort, where he studied Greek.
When he had taken the degree of M. A. in 1559, he read
lectures in rhetoric at home ; and afterwards taught polite
literature and the Greek tongue, in the college of Erfort.
Having thus passed sixteen years in his own country, he
was invited to Jena, to supply the place of Lipsius, as pro-
fessor of history and eloquence. He pronounced his in-
augural oration in 1574, which was afterwards printed
with other of his orations. Some time after, he went to
Meissen, to be head of the college there ; where having
continued six years, he obtained, in 1581, the professor-
ship of polite learning in the university of Leipsic ; and a
particular pension was settled on him to continue the *' His-
tory of Saxony." Upon his coming to Leipsic, he found
warm disputes among the doctors. Some endeavoured to
introduce the subtleties of Ramus, rejecting the doctrine
of Aristotle, while others opposed it; aad some were de-
sirous of advancing towards Calvinism, while others would
suffer no innovations in Lutheranism. Dresserus desired
to avoid both extremes ; and because the dispute concern-
ing the novelties of Ramus greatly disturbed the philoso-
phical community, he was very solicitous to keep clear of
it. But the electoral commissary diverted him from this
pacific design ; and it happened to him, as it happens to
many persons who engage late in disputes of this kin